gems, spinel, Tanzania, Mahenge

Since the 1980s, the Mahenge region of Tanzania has been an important source of attractive pink-to-red spinel. Large transparent gemstones have been cut, but the area is also known for producing ‘pinkish and often sleepy stones’ (Pardieu & Hughes 2008, p. 17). Recently, gem dealer Bryan Lichtenstein (3090 Gems, San Francisco, California, USA) provided three of these spinels (Figure 24) for examination so that the cause of their hazy appearance could be investigated.