Zawadi sapphireA recently found (2010) opaque variety of Corundum displays a beautiful golden bronze
Zawadi sapphireA recently found (2010) opaque variety of Corundum displays a beautiful golden bronzey sheen. Its moniker comes from the Swahili word for ‘gift of the Earth’. Only found in Kenya so far near its border with Somalia (currently a dangerous place to be), the stones have a chocolate brown colour with a shimmering moving glint caused by inclusions of rutile and haematite inside the stone (see http://on.fb.me/1EoGpBi for a detailed explanation). In order to display the optical effect they have to be cut in a unique way, as flat slab like stones with some depth, unlike the normal domed cabochons typically used for star stones (see http://on.fb.me/1PCk2bT). The original pocket is supposed to be depleted, though I’m sure that the miners are eagerly searching for more. Unlike most corundums, these stones are not treated.LozImage credit: Gem Adventurer -- source link
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