Spinel
at-auction$ 20
- Locality
- Mahenge, Morogoro, Tanzania
- Minerals
- Spinel
- Dimensions
- 1.3 x 1.3 x 1.1 cm
- Size class
- Thumbnail
- SID
- LL895
Red/pink Spinel crystal with octahedral form. A well formed crystal with great flat faces all over that is complete except for one chipped tip. There are areas of surface etching that produces a lighter color on the surface, but internally it's all translucent. This is a good quality crystal for what is typically available. The gem value of these crystals is just so high that typically any crystal with even a hint of gem value is broken up for rough, and what is left for us collectors are chalky, brick colored crystals that aren't so appealing. Mahenge pink spinels cut what are considered some of the world's finest pink spinel gemstones, and good crystals from this locality are uncommon because most cut or broken up for their cutting potential.