Zultanite is one of the most rare and transparent gemstones in the diaspore family. Its colours range from yellow, also cognac, pink to red. The most intense red hues are due to manganese concentrations. Like alexandrite, the stone also presents impressive colour change.

Family of minerals: diaspores
Chemical formula: ALO (OH)
Mohs hardness: 6.5-7
System: rhombic
Refractive index: 1.70-1.75
Double refraction: 0.048
Density: 3.4 g / cm ³

Zultanite is a very rare gem variety of diaspora (natural alumina oxyhydrate), which has a stunning alexandrite effect (there are also samples with a cat’s eye effect).

The first samples of zultanite (which did not yet have a name) were found in the early 1970s in a remote mountainous region of Anatolia (Turkey), but there was no commercial development at these mines at that time. Some samples were smuggled out and cut in the Far East by non-professional cutters, as a result of which precious stones were obtained of very low quality.

After obtaining the mining rights and export license, Milenyum Mining Co. became the only supplier of zultanite in the world, and its founder Murat Akgun named the stone in honour of the dynasty of 36 sultans, who founded the Ottoman Empire in Anatolia (Turkey) in the 13th century. The first legally mined and cut zultanite was obtained in 1977.

Zultanite is a very complex and demanding stone in processing; during the cutting process, up to 98% of the weight of the crystal remains in waste. Faceted samples over 5 carats are very rare.

The best examples of zultanite change colour from pale green (similar to the colour of kiwi) to purple-pink (reminiscent of rhodolite garnet). The colour transition from greenish-yellow to cognac-pink is also appreciated. The most intense colour appears in stones larger than 3 carats; smaller stones are much lighter. It is also interesting that the nuances of the zultanite’s colour play vary slightly depending on the time of day and on the light sources.

 It is especially noteworthy that zultanite is one of the few gemstones that does not undergo additional processing (refinement) either by heating or irradiation to give the colour more intensity.

Currently, there is only one zultanite deposit in the world – in Central Anatolia (Turkey).

Zultanite Care

Zultanite is hard enough (6.5-7 on the Mohs scale), but still try not to hit or drop it. It is also worth protecting the stone from sudden temperature changes, and products with zultanite should be stored separately from other jewellery.
Under no circumstances should you expose jewellery with zultanite to ultrasonic cleaning (the stone may delaminate); they can be washed in warm, soapy water with a soft brush (preferably in a bowl, not in a sink).