Gemstones - Diaspore  (Color Change)

Note: Magnification and bright lighting is required to photograph gemstones.  Some inclusions may be visible under these circumstances. You are viewing photographs as if you were using a loupe - not your naked eye.  Under normal conditions, these inclusions may not be visible.

Not responsible for mismatches of prices, photos, stocknumbers, etc.



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With Diaspore, the color will vary in each lighting condition - all forms of incandescent, fluorescent, sunlight, indirect sunlight, etc.  will produce variations in the color - a real chameleon!

We have chosen different light sources which would produce the best color change from green to pink/red as possible when photographing these pieces.  The colors span many variations of green, biege, bronze, pink and red; AND, if different light sources exist at the same time, numerous colors can be seen flashing off of the different facets!

ATG News Release (November 2004):
Word-Class Gemstone Finds New Home

Note that to photograph the color changes is very difficult. In some photos below, we have had both lights available and therefore, the body of the gemstone will be greenish and the highlights will be peach, orange, pink or red. Colors differ on every computer monitor also. This material is EXTREMELY PHOTOREACTIVE and depending on the lights, one might see different variations of green (beige green, smoky green, olive green, green, yellow green), pink, peach, orange red, etc. This material is wonderful and you never know what colors might be displayed. If you require more information, we can do our best to describe the colors for you under office fluorescents, incandescent, halogen, sunlight and indirect light. This material has become our favorite gemstone a it has more variations than Alexandrite and is far more interesting!

4.04ct Matched Pair - Diaspore

A matched pair of this material is far more uncommon than even this rare material.  These 7mm squares are just back from our U.S. cutter.  This is color changing Diaspore, but the color change is lighter due to the size of these gems. Near a bright window or indirect outside light, they are a nice light green; under an office fluorescent, they are beige; under incandescent light, pinkish.  Our favorite lighting condition is when there are two different light sources so the body color is green with peach highlights being reflected internally!  Call or email us for price quotes.  (turk-04c-01A)

8.95ct Rare Color Changing Diaspore - Split Facet Long Cushion Faceted by a well known Master Facetor

Wonderfully cut with a nice color change.  A few inclusions under power, but not visible with the naked eye.  This is to be expected within this rare gemstone.  This was faceted by a cutter who has won cutting competions, and in one case, it was for cutting Diaspore.  The photos have been color corrected to show what one sees under the appropriate lights.  As a rule of thumb, this material behaves in the following manner: Office Fluorescent :  Beige with Green over tones Indirect Daylight:  Light to Medium Green Incandescent light:  Variation of light to medium Pink Mixture of two lights:  Body color isPgreen with wonderful peach hilights internally Call or email for price quotes.

26.25ct Rare Color Changing Diaspore - Modified Opposed Bar Rectangle Faceted by a well known Master Facetor

An incredibly large and clean example of the rare gemstone.  Under very bright lights, one inclusion can be seen.  This is to be expected within this rare gemstone.  This was faceted by a cutter who has won cutting competions, and in one case, it was for cutting Diaspore.  The photos have been color corrected to show what one sees under the appropriate lights.  As a rule of thumb, this material behaves in the following manner: Office Fluorescent :  Beige with Green over tones Indirect Daylight:  Medium to Deep Green Incandescent light:  Medium to Deep Pink, Red highlights Mixture of two lights:  Body color is Green with wonderful Peach, Orange, Red  hilights internally Call or email for price quotes.

4.68ct Color Change Turkish Diaspore, "Gone Askew Rhombus", faceted by Master Cutter and AGTA Cutting Competion Award Winner.   This was photographed under diffused office fluorescent lights, with a small penlight illuminating the gemstone from above.  The incandescent penlight gives the peach, orange, red highlights.  Depending on the light source, one can see the following depending on those wavelengths available in those light sources: Office Fluorescent:   Beige or beige-green Brinkman Fluorescent:  Better green than above Diffused Daylight (by a window, under a tree, etc.):  Shows the best Green under the lighting conditions tested Incandescent/spot:  Bronzy Pink Contact us to learn more or for a price.   (14.81x9.24x7.82x6.36mm) As seen in Cedar WIngs Magazine <  Cedar Wings Article  >

9.00ct Color Change Turkish Diaspore, "Compass Rose" Apex Cushion, faceted by Master Cutter and AGTA Cutting Competion Award Winner.   This was photographed under diffused office fluorescent light with a fiber optic light source to the left.  The main body color was a nice green and the flashes, as you can see, were pink, reddish and even peach!   Office Fluorescent:   Yellowish Green Brinkman Fluorescent:  Deep Celery Green Diffused Daylight (by a window, under a tree, etc.):  Wonderful green, similar to some Tourmaline Incandescent/spot:  Bronzy Pink or Peach Note that the name of this cut comes from the ract that it does not have a flat table, but has numerous facts that create a cross or compass design. This gem has some inclusions which is typical of Diaspore.  The cutting hides them nicely.  Like natural Alexandrite, one must typically understand the material and know that color, size, cutting, inclusions and color change are usually a trade off. Contact us to learn more or for a price.    (11.40 x 10.80 x 9.95mm)

1.83ct Diaspore

A nicely faceted (in the U.S.) Square Turkish Diaspore weighing 1.83cts.  Color is a beigy green, to light celery green to a light bronze.  We love this material when two different lighting sources are available - the body color will be a version of light green and the highlights and flashes will be peach!  Email us for a price.  See more Diaspores and information on this rare gemstone, further below on this page. Approx 6.8x6.8x5.2mm  SOLD!

1.19ct Turkish Diaspore, U.S. Cut.  This is the smallest stone that we have faceted so far.  When small, the color change is faint or non-existent.  This is a beige or light green color.  Due to fine cutting, this will sparkle nicely and is very pleasing.   If one uses a loupe, one can see an inclusion or cleavage - a characteristic of Diaspore.  We believe this is eye clean.   Priced to move.  (turk-04-xx)

2.17ct Super Cushion Barion Cut Diaspore
This is a recently faceted Diaspore just back from one of our U.S. Cutters.  The color change is very subtle, going from a yellow green to, well, we are really not quite sure - perhaps a champagne color - it is very difficult to see exactly what the color is because we are in the dark using two different light sources.  What we see under fluorescent appears to be a yellowish green and under incandescent light, it does show a change, only describing it is difficult.  The pinkish photo above is what the camera saw, but the human eye isn't really seeing this intensity of pink.  It is a lively greenish color under most lighting conditions, clean, nicely cut and very well priced to move.  For someone who wants a Diaspore that is clean, decent size, well, cut and at a good price, this will fit the bill, as they say.  Contact us via phone or email for a price quote Approx 8.2x6.1x6.0mm

4.60ct Color Change Turkish Diaspore, Mixed 12 Main Brilliant Rectangle, faceted by Master Cutter and AGTA Cutting Competion Award Winner.   This was photographed under office fluorescent light and there was another light source to the left.  The main body color was a nice green and the flashes, as you can see, were pink, reddish and even peach!   Though great looking under just fluorescent or incandescent light, we really enjoy seeing the unique coloring and optical effects when two light sources are available.  Contact us to learn more or for a price.    (11.2x6.38x7.05mm)

5.25cts Color Change Diaspore
Mixed Brilliant Trilliant   10.81x10.81x10.81x7.17mm faceted by Master Cutter and AGTA Cutting Competition Winner   (trv-05-01c)

6.50ct Color Change Diaspore
Uniquely Flash Trilliant   11.45 x 11.45 x 11.45 x 7.92(d)mm faceted by Master Cutter and AGTA Cutting Competition Winner (trv-05-01b)

11.50cts Color Change Diaspore
Special Brilliant Cushion with Apex Crown  14.15 x 10.33 x 10.11mm    faceted by Master Cutter and AGTA Cutting Competition Winner

13.00ct Color Change Diaspore
Unique  S u p r e m e Rectangle 17.09 x 8.08 x 11.32(d)mm faceted by Master Cutter and AGTA Cutting Competition Winner

6.20ct Color Change Turkish Diaspore, Brilliant Diamond Cut Emerald, faceted by Master Cutter and AGTA Cutting Competition Award Winner.   12.13x7.75.8.03mm This very gemstone represents faceted Color Change Diaspore in a book on gemstones!     See more about this newly published book:  <  Gemstones - Understanding, Identifying and Buying  >

22.75ct Diaspore!

22.75ct Color Change Turkish Diaspore, Step Cut Oval, faceted by  Master Cutter and AGTA Cutting Competition Award Winner.   17.58x14.16x12.45mm

A -  4.75ct Color Change Turkish Diaspore, Mixed 12 Main Brilliant Rectangle, faceted by Master Cutter and AGTA Cutting Competition Award Winner.    11.73x6.62x7.39mm

Eye Clean, the finest cutting available, color change varies under different lights - these are the optimum colors ranging from a tan/beige, to a variation of green to a variation of bronze or pink.  Call or email for price quotes.

B - 6.15ct Color Change Turkish Diaspore, Mixed Modified Long Cushion, faceted by  Master Cutter and AGTA Cutting Competition Award Winner.    13.68x6.81x8.23mm

Eye Clean, the finest cutting available, color change varies under different lights - these are the optimum colors ranging from a tan/beige, to a variation of green to a variation of bronze or pink.  Call or email for price quotes.

Diaspore Crystal segment showing 3 views.  One area has been polished allowing one to see inside. 25.76cts    $250

Diaspore Crystal segment showing 3 views.  One area has been polished allowing one to see inside.    49.73cts    $375

Diaspore Crystal segment showing 3 views.  One area has been polished allowing one to see inside.  53.93cts    $325

16.95ct Natural Diaspore Crystal measuring approximately 21x13x6mm Naturally terminated at the top; the sides have been polished so one can see in.  This has the typical Diaspore inclusions, habit (crystal shape) and even cleavage planes.  The first and last Diaspore crystal we displayed on our website over a year ago was snapped up by a collector from Japan. $449  SOLD!

All That Glitters officially announces that we have Diaspore. This material is not easy to work with and you can see some of the challenges one has to deal with, listed below. This rare and seldom seen gemstone is mostly unknown to gemstone dealers, retail stores, those in the jewelry trade and even those in this business for decades. They haven't a clue what the material is when shown it nor have they ever heard of it when told the name - and only a few dealers have ever seen it.

This material was on the market for a short timeframe back in the early 1990's. The person introducing it to the public and trade had telephoned us for information and advice. In about a year after our conversation, faceted stones of this material were being shown (pretty much for the first time) in trade magazines, featured in Modern Jewelers Gemstone Profile and a few pieces were being displayed by this dealer in about 1994 at the Tucson Show. It really hasn't been seen since that timeframe.

To quote Modern Jeweler - Until 1977, the idea that Diaspore might be a facetable gem was fantasy, not fact. Indeed, this common oxide-family member was not even popular in specimen form. So it's omission from the 1968 edition of John Sinkankas' Standard Catalog of Gems was to have been expected....."

We have looked in GIA books that one purchases for obtaining a Gemology Degree - NOT LISTED.
We checked Walter Schumann's Gemstones of the World - NOT LISTED.
Gemstone Enhancements by Kurt Nassau - NOT LISTED.
We asked a dealer/cutter of gemstone if he knew of this gemstone - NEVER HEARD OF IT.
Asked another dealer of fine stones - YES! She had heard of it back in the 90's and always wanted to see it.
Made an inquiry to a person in the trade for decades and responsible in the past for minerals/gem material being found in his country and he now runs a cutting house - NEVER HEARD OF IT. Has no idea even how to facet it.
We performed a search on the Internet - A Few Hits, but no real info.

More Wonderfully Faceted Large Diaspores are availabe upon request.  We will also custom facet your gemstone to order!

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You may also telephone or send an email.