I hadn't realised this, but it appears that New Zealand has a claim to fame in the minerological world. The Westland is the only place in the world where you can find Goodletite, a combination of ruby, sapphire and tourmaline crystals in a fuchsite matrix. It's the only precious stone found in New Zealand (I'm wearing pounamu myself - greenstone or nephrite jade - for personal reasons, but that's classified as semi-precious).
There's a story in a magazine here about it being
marketed as "Ruby Rock", and they note that its singular location makes it considerably rarer than diamond - "a million times more unique than Opal" in enthusiastic if incorrect prose.
There's an opportunity here for those who value the unusual to steal a march on people who look to other stones first and foremost, and to do it before demand drives the price of the gem up...
2 comments:
It could be argued that many things are rarer than diamond. The De Beers corporation has been consistently storing away diamonds for years, in a effort to keep prices up. The only reason diamonds have become popular in the public consciousness is because of their ad campaign in the 50s - "If you really love her, buy her a diamond".
Ditto that. Same goes for blue and red diamonds. Most deBeers stuff is white with a slight hint of yellow for sparkle. I say just get her/him something that looks good and means something to the two of you.
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