Pink Zektzerite
Zektzerite, a member of the tuhualite group, is a very rare collectible mineral currently mined from only two sources: Okanogan County in the U.S. state of Washington (Spring 2011 Gem News International, p. 61), and the Darai-Pioz Valley in Tajikistan (L.A. Pautovet et al., “Zektzerite—occurrence in Tadzhikistan,” Mineralogicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 14, pp. 75–78). With the chemical formula NaLiZrSi6O15, these rare crystals are found in miarolitic cavities in riebeckite granite, along with many other rare minerals. The zektzerite crystals found in these locations are primarily between 4 mm and 15 mm and usually yield small faceted gems weighing less than 2 ct. This material is typically found with a low transparency and muted color saturations. Perfect cleavage in two directions and a brittle tendency make this fragile stone very difficult and risky to cut. Due to its low durability and overall dull appearance, collectors tend to leave zektzerite in its natural rough state.
An outstanding example of faceted gem-quality zektzerite (see above) was recently submitted to GIA’s Carlsbad laboratory. The stone weighed 2.95 ct, measured 8.08 × 7.39 × 6.89 mm, and had a refractive index ranging between 1.578 and 1.584. A specific gravity of 2.81, along with Raman and infrared spectroscopic testing, all matched zektzerite, with no indication of dye or polymers. The outstanding pink color, relatively high clarity, and impressive size of this stone sets this specimen far above any other faceted zektzerite previously reported.
