What is this "six sided crystal structure" in a sapphire?

[haagen_dazs]

Hi all
Could someone explain what this six sided crystal structure is?
Has is to do with the lattice structure?
How and when does this present itself?
I am guessing this is undesirable in a gemstone?

What other gemstones will potentially suffer from this phenomena ?

http://mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=5235

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Very interesting gem! I have not seen anything similar.

My guess is that it is a ghost of some sort created during the crystal growth.

 

[haagen_dazs]

any technical experts here who might be able to shed some light on the six sided crystal?

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Did you ask Dana? (the seller)

 

[Richard M.]

It''s either a sapphire crystal inside another sapphire crystal or the "core" of the crystal the stone was cut from. Sapphire (corundum) crystallizes in the hexagonal system. This is a really neat collectible -- there''s no question that this stone is natural!

Portions of six-sided crystal structures often show up in sapphires as color-zoning. Straight-sided, hexagonal angular zoning is proof of natural crystallization. Most synthetic corundum shows curved structure, like the grooves on an old vinyl phonograph record.

Richard M. (Rick Martin)

 

[chrono]

This is a really cool inclusion; something unique to add to one’s collection for fun.

 

[mastercutgems]

Sorry for no getting back with your question Mark/haagen_dazs but I got the H1N1 about 2 weeks ago and it kicked my rear...

In my humble opinion it is what we call a ghost crystal or as Rick said a crystal in a crystal. It did not show up in the rough material; or at least with refractol and fiber-optic light; it did not rear it''s head until I was pre-polishing the table.
The sapphire was from my old contact in Natal South Africa and it was supposed to be un-heated Madagascar material; I agree with the un-heated part; and from its color and secondary color I have no doubt the location is correct also.

It is a neat gem; of course it would normally go for much more without the inclusion if you would call it that; but it is a neat gem and only shows the ghost crystal when you tilt it a certain way. Other than that; the parcel turned out some very nice gems.
Really neat under 60x microscope.

I like neat inclusions... As to other gems that will display crystals; well most if not all can and will show other mineral crystals; and some will show crystals inclusions of the same type; but corundum to me show it more often. I have a complete collection of crystal inclusions in other gem minerals; negative crystals, en hydras, en solids, both together, the list goes on and on; it can be habit forming

But I put that one on there as they are kind of neat for the collector...

 

[MonkeyPie]

I totally want it just for that crystal!

 

[glitterata]

Me too, I think that''s so cool.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I caved. Just bought it

 

[MakingTheGrade]

picture (for those too lazy to click a link

)
I think the the ghost crystal is just too cool. Color doesn't seem too bad either

 

[Fly Girl]

Date: 11/30/2009 10:39:15 AM
Author: MakingTheGrade
I caved. Just bought it

Awesome!!!!

Looking forward to pictures. It seems to be a pretty color.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Thanks. I am a little worried it might be overly saturated and dark but we will see!

 

[Novel]

Oooh, fun! Can''t wait to see IRL pics!

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Date: 11/30/2009 11:24:39 AM
Author: Novel
Oooh, fun! Can''t wait to see IRL pics!

I can''t wait to see it too!

How long did it take for your spinels to get to you?

 

[Selkie]

Super cool! Can''t wait to see pics when it arrives.

 

[chrono]

Wowee...I can’t wait to see pictures of the new stone too. I think the inclusion is really cool.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Haha, part of me wanted to start a "What do you think about this sapphire?" thread, and see if anybody replied with "Well, there's an inclusion in it."

That way I could say "I know, and I Love it!"

I bet Dana's collection of inclusions are pretty cool, I'd love to see a collection like that under the microscope. I bet it's be really educational (and pretty).

 

[Novel]

Date: 11/30/2009 5:58:43 PM
Author: MakingTheGrade

Date: 11/30/2009 11:24:39 AM

Author: Novel

Oooh, fun! Can''t wait to see IRL pics!

I can''t wait to see it too!


How long did it take for your spinels to get to you?

He shipped the day after I ordered them, and then Thanksgiving happened and I wasn''t in the office. So, is not long a reasonable answer?

Seriously, five days at the most, with Thanksgiving, etc. Woo!

 

[haagen_dazs]

Date: 11/30/2009 10:39:15 AM
Author: MakingTheGrade
I caved. Just bought it

hahaha
do take lots of photos of the stone at various angles