1. What is zultanite?
The zultanite stone is one of the rarest stones on earth. It is only mined in the Ilbir Mountains of Turkey and is famous for its color-changing effect. Zultanite usually comes in orange, green, yellow, pink, and champagne and these colors change in a different light.
2. Discovery: rare and new in the market
The zultanite stone was discovered in the very early 1800s in the Russian Ural Mountains. However, currently, the Ilbir Mountains of Turkey remain the only known source left, which makes it one of the rarest stones on earth.
It is a variety of the mineral diaspore and is named after the 36th Sultan who ruled the Ottoman Empire of Turkey, by the current mine owner.
Enthusiasts initially mined and independently excavated zultanite with chisels and pickaxes in the 1980s.
It wasn’t until the 1970s that jewelers began to mine it for commercial use. The difficulty of cutting zultanite postponed its entry into the market. Until 2005, zultanite was only used by selected jewelers.
In 2006, zultanite began to be mined specifically as a gemstone. While diaspore may be abundant, zultanite can only be found in a Bauxite deposit in the Ilbir Mountains of central Turkey. It is exclusively mined by Ottoman Gem.
The mine is located 4,000 feet high in the mountains of Turkey. Only a very small amount of gem-quality zultanite can be mined from tons of ore; moreover, only 50% of the total zultanite mined is suitable for cutting, and 98% of the raw zultanite stones will be lost during processing.
That is to say, the yield of gem-quality zultanite is only 2%. In fact, it is very rare in the market.
3. Where is zultanite mined?
Zultanite can only be found in a Bauxite deposit in the Ilbir Mountains of central Turkey. It is exclusively mined by Ottoman Gem. That is why it is also called the Turkish zultanite.
4. Zultanite properties
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Zultanite usually comes in orange, green, yellow, pink, and champagne and these colors change in a different light.
As a transparent gemstone with a refractive index of 1.75, it is clear to the naked eye. It takes a 10x magnification to inspect the natural inclusions of the gemstone.
Zultanite is 6.5 to 7 on Moh’s Hardness Scale. Its hardness and durability are perfect makings for use in jewelry.
There are claims among jewelers that the zultanite has perfect cleavage. Perfect cleavage means that the gem will create smooth repeating surfaces if it breaks. Therefore, jewelers recommend taking extra care when wearing zultanite jewelry.
However, not many gem cutters have had the chance to work with zultanite and perfect the art of crafting it.
Zultanite color
Zultanite usually comes in orange, green, yellow, pink, and champagne and these colors change in a different light.
The color-changing effect or pleochroism
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Zultanite is a rare gemstone that naturally possesses a color-changing effect. It could be thought of as a chameleon of diaspores.
It is the traces of manganese that cause this unique optical phenomenon. At different angles or under different light sources, the same zultanite stone can have two or even more colors. This is called pleochroism.
This ability alone makes it very popular with jewelry connoisseurs. Its colors can change from raspberry hues to kiwi greens.
Outdoors under clear skies, it appears kiwi green with light yellow sparkle; indoors under traditional lighting, it turns a rich orange color; and under candlelight, it emits a purple-red halo.
However, it never goes to completely dark tones. Most hues are soft, making them an excellent complement to earthier tones.
As with all gemstones, the larger the size, the more pronounced the color-changing effect and the greater the visual impact it provides.
The cat’s eye effect
Its chatoyance, an effect that causes a bright strip of light to appear across the gem’s surface shaped like a cat’s eye, makes zultanite not only among the rarest of gemstones but also one of the most unique stones in the jewelry industry today.
Every aspect of the gem appears tailored specifically to increase its rarity and value.
5. Zultanite value
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What is zultanite worth? Due to the exclusivity of mining rights, the geographical availability of zultanite, the gemstone's naturally coveted qualities, and the difficulty in properly faceting the gemstone, zultanite is a gemstone of great value for purchase and collection.
Even with a price, the availability of the stone is near zero. The mining company of zultanite works exclusively with companies of their choice.
To be detailed, while over 90% of gemstones on the market require optimization, zultanite is different. It does not require any and is guaranteed to be 100% natural.
Moreover, the mining of zultanite is extremely difficult. Only a very small amount of gem-quality zultanite can be mined from tons of ore; moreover, only 50% of the total zultanite mined is suitable for cutting, and 98% of the raw zultanite stones will be lost during processing.
That is to say, the yield of gem-quality zultanite is only 2%.
- A single source - rarity.
- Unique color-changing effect - versatility.
- Never treated in any way - natural and safe.
- Ethical mining - environmental friendliness.
6. Zultanite prices
How much does zultanite cost? Yes, real zultanite is quite pricey. Finished jewelry pieces adorned with authentic zultanite stones range from $1,000 to $50,000 in value.
For zultanite stones alone, 1 carat starts at $500, and when you get to 20 or more carats, it starts at $10,000. This is primarily due to the rarity of those in five carats and beyond.
Raw gem collectors can get their hands on zultanite minerals for around $300 to $18,000 for a 3,100-gram ore.
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7. Zultanite jewelry
Zultanite jewelry is rare and costly. The exclusivity of the material and the skilled work it takes to facet zultanite make it one of the most valuable gemstones in the jewelry industry.
The beautiful color of the gemstone makes it look perfect in necklaces, rings, and earrings. Zultanite jewelry represents the wearer's unique taste, wealth, and sophistication.
While some may use this gemstone for its metaphysical properties, the raw beauty of jewelry created using zultanite makes it unreplaceable.
To summarize, zultanite jewelry is extremely beautiful, rare, valuable, and highly sought-after by jewelry lovers and collectors.
8. Fake zultanite
For most consumers, a Zultanite Authenticity Guarantee is the best method to verify if the gemstone is natural.
There are complex methods such as inspecting the inclusions and measuring the refraction index to detect fake zultanite stones. But they are best left to professionals.
Synthetic zultanite and lab-created zultanite
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Yes, zultanite stones can be lab-created now. Lab-created zultanites are often made of glass but have the same color-changing effect as natural zultanite. Lab-created zultanite jewelry is much more affordable and usually costs $50 to $100.
If you love the color-changing ability of natural zultanite but do not want to spend a fortune on it, lab-created zultanite is a great choice for you.
How to distinguish a lab-created zultanite?
The way specialists tell the difference is by putting the stone under the microscope to see if inclusions are present. If they aren't, then your stone is not authentic. You can also trying using a small torchlight to see if you can find any inclusions.
There are also other techniques. For example, invest in a Chelsea filter, which is an optical filter used to identify colored stones.
How to buy a genuine zultanite?
If you’re trying to buy a genuine zultanite, here are some essential tips to make sure you don’t get ripped off.
- Make sure your distributor is approved by the Turkish miner Ottoman Gem and GIA.
- If the price is too low and keeps getting lower, that’s very suspicious.
- Make sure your certificate is actually from GIA or the American Gemological Society.
9. Where to buy zultanite?
Rosery Poetry Zultanite solitaire ring oval cut in 925 sterling silver $42.
At Rosery Poetry, we are committed to providing you with affordable zultanite jewelry that is classic and sustainable. Our zultanite jewelry pieces including zultanite rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets are made of color-changing zultanite and 925 sterling silver.
If you want to buy zultanite stones or zultanite jewelry ranging from $100-$500, you can check JMLsinc. It is a Zultanite® Trusted Retailer. You can buy zultanite jewelry like a zultanite ring or zultanite earrings that are affordable and of high quality and have them delivered to your house fast.
10. About the name: zultanite
Originally known as diaspore, zultanite got its name in 2006 from Stephen Kotlowski. He believed the name diaspore was awful sounding and reminded him of fungus.
So he rebranded the rare gemstone. At first, he mulled the idea of “Ottominite” after the Ottoman Empire of Turkey.
His friend, Murat, suggested “Sultanite” from the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire of Turkey for the reason that it gave the gem a royal feel. Unfortunately for them, “Sultanate” was already used to name a mineral. So Mr. Kotlowski decided to change the “S” for a “Z”.
11. Csarite and zultanite
Between zultanite and csarite, there is no difference in their chemical makeup. Both are trade names and are used interchangeably.
To be detailed, in the early ’00s, the owner of the Turkey zultanite mine, Murat Akgun, found it challenging to sell the stone under the trade name Zultanite. Therefore, in 2012, zultanite was dropped as the primary market name (jewelers selling zultanite pieces may disagree) and Akgun came up with another one: Csarite.
Therefore, csarite and zultanite are two competing trademarks for the same gemstones from Turkey.
12. Zultanite VS alexandrite
Alexandrite is another color-changing stone with a cat’s eye effect that comes to mind when we talk about the properties of zultanite.
Alexandrite has a different set of colors than zultanite. It usually changes colors between green and red, commonly referred to as "emerald by day, ruby by night"; while a zultanite stone can have more than two colors.
Another difference is that zultanite is mined only in one country, Turkey; while alexandrite is mined in seven countries. As a result, zultanite is more expensive. One carat of zultanite can reach as high as $10,000.
Shop our color-changing zultanite jewelry made in sterling silver, starting from $29.
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