In much of the world, the haves and those not even close toil side-by-side, each with simultaneous desire and disdain for the other. Perhaps nowhere else on the planet are the contrasts as compacted as the few square kilometers that comprise the tanzanite mines of Merelani. This is where First World meets Third, a pressure-cooker that turns brown earth to blue jewels—where envy and avarice squeeze out of the graphite dust that coats all—black, white, and brown—in a sparkling mixture of blood, sweat and indigo tears.

On October 22, 2007, TanzaniteOne, the world leader in tanzanite mining, announced the acquisition of a tsavorite project through its subsidiary, TsavoriteOne Mining Ltd. The move was not surprising to people familiar with these gems given that tanzanite is a gem geologically linked with tsavorite. More recently, in September 2008, the TsavoriteOne project was again in the news when Gemfields, a group involved in emerald mining in Zambia, made a surprise offer for TanzaniteOne.

This article presents an update on tsavorite, along with studying its potential as one of the coming century's major gemstones.

Join Al, an Aussie larrikin as he treks the out back of Australia and share in the wild and fascinating experiences along the way.

In this first episode of the series, Al will showcase some amazing destinations in the New England ranges of NSW, Exploring bat infested caves, and exposing the secrets of divining for sapphires, while teaching you the art of Gem seeking.

You’ll laugh with its raw sincerity ... without a doubt a true GEM!

What do Henry David Thoreau and Australian opal miner Lenny Cram have in common? Find out here.

The second-most valuable gem in the world Burmese Jade: The Inscrutable Gem. By R.W. Hughes, O. Galibert, G. Bosshart, F. Ward, Thet Oo, M. Smith, Tay Thye Sun and George Harlow.