"New" Super-Rare Gem from Israel Selling for up to $1m
December 13, 22
(IDEX Online) - A "new" precious gem, found only in Israel, is now being sold in biblically-themed pieces of jewelry costing up to $1m.
Carmeltazite was first discovered in 2014 at Mount Carmel, from which it takes its name, and has since been recognized by the International Mineralogical Association.
Small quantities of the mineral are being recovered by the Shefa mining company at the Kishon mine.
They're being marketed as Carmel-Sapphire by luxury jeweler HolyGems, which says the gem is so rare it can only make one-of-a-kind pieces.
Carmel Sapphire is described as "a new and phenomenal gem in the market. Its mineralogical composition consists of the common sapphire (Corundum), but also accompanied by a group of new minerals, never before found on earth."
One-of-a-kind pieces of Carmel-Sapphire jewelry offered online, without prices, include 18k gold earrings with 6.4 carats of Carmel Sapphire, decorated with 62 VS collection small diamonds, and a ring called Miriam's Tambourine, with 1.55 carats of Carmel-Sapphire, decorated with 12 VS collection small diamonds.
The company says its Carmel-Sapphire jewelry costs $20,000 to $1m.
Pic courtesy HolyGems