TURKISH DIASPORE ' CATS EYE'

Hardeness6.5 - 7 OriginTurkeyTreatment None

Turkish Diaspore is the color changing variety of the mineral diaspore (an aluminum hydroxide), discovered in the Kucukcamliktepe and Buyukcamliktepe mines of the Ilbir Mountains in the Milas county of MuÄŸla in southwestern Turkey in the early 1950s. Turkish Diaspore is a rare gemstone found exclusively in one Turkish deposit. The nearest villages with road connections are Pinarcik and Selimiye, which are approximately 12 kilometers from the mining area. Turkish Diaspore is also called Color Change Diaspore or simply, Diaspore. Trademarked Zultanite is a related, but typically superior gemstone from the same deposit.

Type 1 GemstonesThe following gemstones are typically inclusion free, even minor inclusions detract from their value.Diamond, Amethyst, Beryls(Aquamarine,Morganite), Citrine, Smoky Quartz, topaz, Chrysoberyl, Kunzite, Tanzanite, green Tourmaline, and Blue Zircon

IFInternally flawless under extreme magnification (Very rare)FFlawlessVVSMinute inclusions under 10x; invisible to the unaided eyeVSMinor inclusions under 10x; usually invisible to the unaided eyeSI1Noticeable inclusions under 10x; usually visible to the unaided eyeSI2Noticeable inclusions under 10x; usually quite visible to the unaided eyeI1prominent- moderate affect on appearance or durabilityI2prominent - severe affect on appearance or durabilityI3prominent- severe affect on beauty, transparency or durability

Type 2 GemstonesGemstones that normally have small inclusions that do not detract from value.Alexandrite, Andalusite, Iolite, Peridot, Rhodolite, Ruby, Sapphire, Spinel, Tourmaline, Garnet, Amethyst, Red Zircon, Tsavorite; Blue, Orange, Purple, Fluorite.Yellow and Parti-colored Tourmaline

FFlawlessVVSMinor inclusions under 10x; usually invisible to the unaided eyeVSNoticeable inclusions under 10x; often invisible to the unaided eyeSI1Obvious inclusions under 10x; visible to the unaided eyeSI2Obvious inclusions under 10x; very apparent to the unaided eyeI1prominent - moderate affect on appearance or durabilityI2prominent - severe affect on appearance or durabilityI3prominent - severe affect on beauty, transparency or durability

6 mm = 1/4 inch (Approx)