Discovered Gems: Notable Pieces from Gem-A's Collection of Precious Stones and Minerals
Gem-A's Renowned Gemstones and Minerals Collection Showcases Rare and Significant Gems
The Gem-A Gemstones and Minerals Collection, a renowned assemblage of rare and significant gems, is a treasure trove for gem enthusiasts and scientists alike. The collection, which has been built over decades through collecting, bequests, and acquisitions, includes a variety of unique specimens, such as red beryl, banded fluorite, citrine, gypsum, peridot, zoisite, and more.
One of the highlights of the collection is the work of Gem-A photographer, Henry Mesa, who has captured photographs of these unique gemstones for public viewing.
Red Beryl (Bixbite)
This extremely rare variety of beryl, notable for its vivid red color caused by manganese, is one of the rarest gemstones in the world. Prized for its intense hue, rarity, and gemological uniqueness, red beryl is often found in a limited geographic area such as Utah, USA.
Citrine
A variety of quartz, citrine ranges in color from pale yellow to brownish orange, caused by iron impurities. It has historical significance as a decorative gemstone and is valued for its warm yellow tones and relative affordability among quartz varieties.
Peridot
A gem-quality form of the mineral olivine, known for its consistent green coloration caused by iron, peridot has a rich history dating back to ancient Egypt (circa 1500 BC) where it was called the “gem of the sun.” Symbolically, it was believed to protect against nightmares and bring positive energy.
Jadeite
One of the two minerals known as jade (the other being nephrite), jadeite is prized for its toughness and range of green hues. It is culturally and historically significant, especially in East Asia, where it symbolizes purity and status. Jadeite has a complex composition mainly as a sodium aluminum silicate and is highly valued for its rarity relative to nephrite.
Tanzanite
A variety of the mineral zoisite, tanzanite is prized for its striking blue to violet-blue color and is found only in Tanzania. It has become one of the modern favorites due to its vibrant hues and rarity. Chemically, it is a calcium aluminum silicate.
The collection also includes cut and faceted tanzanites with these tones, showcasing the deeper purple tones that tanzanite is known for.
The Anderson Collection
While specific detailed online references for this collection are limited, the Anderson Collection typically refers to a curated set of gemstones and minerals noted for its scientific and aesthetic value. Such collections often include well-documented specimens of rare gems like red beryl and tanzanite and serve as important educational and research resources for gemologists and collectors.
An anonymous donor purchased the entire Anderson Collection and donated it to Gem-A in 1986, ensuring that these rare and significant gems would be preserved and shared with the public for years to come.
In summary, the Gem-A Collection's composition reveals a focus on rare and historically/culturally significant gems with diverse origins, complex chemistry, and unique colors. The specific gems mentioned reflect the collection’s breadth in showcasing both classical favourites like citrine and culturally prized jadeite, along with rare stones such as red beryl and tanzanite, enhancing its significance to both gemological science and gem enthusiasts.
- The Gem-A Gemstones and Minerals Collection, with its focus on educational and research purposes, offers workshops, courses, and publications for those interested in gemmology and personal growth, facilitating career development and lifelong learning.
- For the fashion-and-beauty enthusiasts, the collection showcases jewelry pieces made from these rare gems, adding a touch of luxury to one's lifestyle, complementing food-and-drink gatherings and home-and-garden decor.
- As for car aficionados, imagine the spectacle of a classic car collection, including one adorned with stunning gemstones from the Gem-A's collection, enhancing the overall elegance and rarity.
- For those dreaming of travel adventures, the collection can serve as a source of inspiration, sparking trips to gem mining sites, such as the Utah desert, home to the rare red beryl.
- A professors' lecture series on education-and-self-development could draw upon the collection, using it as a prism to discuss the connections between gemstones, cultural history, and personal growth.
- In addition to housing a renowned collection, Gem-A also organizes travel services, allowing visitors to partake in educational programs set against the backdrop of famous travel destinations, like the Tanzanian landscape, home to the elusive tanzanite.
- By continually expanding its collection and educational initiatives, Gem-A engages in a mission of preservation, fostering an understanding of the natural world, and contributing to the overall growth and enrichment of society.
