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!

Two Diaspore Ovals - 2.09cts and 3.17cts

Two Oval Diaspores faceted by one of our local cutters.  This was originally supposed to be a matched pair, but Diaspore is one of the most difficult gemstones to facet due to working around inclusions, the shape of the crystal and the cleavage.  That is why you will not see larger matched pairs of Diaspore.  Our first, last and only pair was sold for a project in Slovakia and they wanted another pair.  Due to their schedule on a piece which should be announced internationally over the next few months, we could not complete the pair.  As indicated above, though our cutter spent about 60 hours on one of the gemstones, it is not a matched pair.  This material is priced at $150/ct and considering the sizes and the fact that they are not heavily included as most of the material one sees out there in the market, it is a great price.  Plus they were faceted in the US and therefore cut properly.  The body color of these is the typical celery green.  Under other lights, one sees the ends of the oval being a pinkish champange color with maybe the center being more beige or champagne.  This material is quite photo-chroic depending on the available lights and will be different colors depending on the light source.  For smaller gemstones, Diaspore is more of a color shift and smaller material doesn't shift very much at all.  Many pieces one will see on line have beenphoto  enhanced to show distinct colors, especially those one sees from other countries.  The bottom photo has been tweaked to show the pink champagne color, whereas the green photo above is accurate to what one sees in daylight and under fluorescent lights.  (Color is very subjective on line as everyone has different settings on their computer monitors.  Our monitor matches the color of the actual gemstone.  We had one CA customer who, after purchasing gemstones from us and continuing to do so, modified his monitor to match the color of the gemstones received.  In this way, he had an even more accurate idea of what the true color of the gemstones were, as his montior more closed matched the colors of the gems!) Small Oval:  2.09cts (diaspr-10-01a):  $314 Large Oval:  3.17cts (diaspr-10-01b):  $476 This is the IPO (Initial Public Offering) of these two Diaspores.  Price subject to change at any time.

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)

1.99ct total wt  (Not faceted by our Master Cutter)  If you want to have samples of Turkish Diaspore and  are not looking for color change, these should fit the bill.  One "typicall" requires a gemstone of over 3cts to see a color change and the larger the better.  We have seen small stones like these or a few carats  on  line and we can see that the photos have been modified to show color change.  Sorry to burst people's bubble, but it just isn't the case.... (turk-sun-01,2)  $70

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

4.04ct 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) SOLD! (Dealer Sale to Slovakia)

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)

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)    $4,680 As seen in Cedar WIngs Magazine <  Cedar Wings Article  >

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.

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)

6.05ct  UK Start Cushion Round This is a VERY lively gemstone.  The color  might be considered lighter in the green or pink, but the sparkle is tremendous!  Faceted by our Master Cutter (an AGTA Cutting Competition Winner). 12.21x12.21x7.90mm  (trv-05-01i)

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.

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    $7,750 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  >

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)

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.

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)

Another INCREDIBLY Brilliant, Sparkly, Eye Clean Diaspore faceted from our rough by our Master Cutter (an AGTA Cutting Competition Winner).  The faceting design is a Modified Princess Rectangle - but for all intensive purposes, it is a square, cut with similar facets to a Princess Cut, thereby giving it Lots of Life!    This beauty weights a whopping 9.05cts.  In this case, we decided to use the cameras setting to simulate different lighting conditions.  It is very difficult to get accurate color photos of most gemstones that color change.  Typically, the camera sees a different color than what the eye sees. The colors seen in this gem, obviously vary depending on what lights are available.  We have seen a beige, smoky green, yellowish green and a champagne pink - and all variations in between!  Dimensions of this piece are:  11.70x11.09x8.87mm   (aldrov-06-01c)

10.90ct UK 5 Star Portuguese Round! We haven't seen a round in this material before; perhaps the most difficult shape to obtain because of the habit (shape) of the original Diaspore crystal.  Faceted by our Master Cutter (an AGTA Cutting Competition Winner).14.20x9.12mm (trv-05-01g)

11.15ct  UK Formee Cross Rectangle Very lively as you can see.  Lots of life and a very decent green.  Would describe the pink as possibly a smoky pink or dark pink champagne.   Faceted by our Master Cutter (an AGTA Cutting Competition Winner). 13.12x11.00x10.47mm (trv-05-01h)

11.25ct Flash Keystone A very interesting shape and play of life within the stone.  The interaction of the light acts as if there are two different stones - the left side and the right side.  Colors can be different on either side at the same time - have seen green on one, and pink on the other! Faceted by our Master Cutter (an AGTA Cutting Competition Winner). 18.47x(9.86x6.56)x8.44mm (aldrov-06-01d)

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

12.25ct UK Split Facet Emerald Cut Another wonderfully lively gemstone with a good green body color.  Hard to capture the true color green and that is why we photographed this in incandescent light showing the good pink!  Faceted by our Master Cutter (an AGTA Cutting Competition Winner).  (aldrov-06-01b)  13.36x11.46x9.96mm

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

18.80ct UK Parchesey Cushion A very large Diaspore and we believe it to be clean, like a number of other larger pieces that we have.  This has a number of different colors present at one time.  There are hints of orangy gold even under our office fluorescent lights.  Faceted by our Master Cutter (an AGTA Cutting Competition Winner).  17.32x14.84x9.50mm  (aldrov-06-01a)

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

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.

28.51ct UK Brilliant Square; The largest Diaspore that we currents have in inventory, with the largest one being a 33+ct gem since the introducation of this material to the trade back in about 1995.  At 33+cts, we had a News Release that a World Class Gemstone had found a new home - a collector/investor on the West Coast!  Faceted by our Master Cutter (an AGTA Cutting Competition Winner).   Outside Diameter:  17mm   (trv-05-01f)

Diaspore Crystal segment showing 3 views.  Sides have been polished to some extent.  Termination is natural and untouched.  Wonderful specimen showing twinning.  Has depth and therefore shows a decent green in natural light.  Shows color change also.  Has typical rainbow patterns due to cleavage.   Transparent and a fine example of a Twinned Color Changing Turkish Diaspore.  48.96cts   $1,250

Naturally twinned and terminated Color Changing Turkish Diaspore weighing 36.20cts.  Has some depth, so there is evident color change.  Two sides have been polished and it is very easy to see directly through it.  The writing one sees will be removed with alcohol.  $850

62.51ct  Naturally Terminated Turkish Diaspore - sitting on matrix.  One small section slightly polished. (right hand side of the first photo).  Natural iron staining can be seen and can also be removed if desired by the new owner.  $975

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

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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