Diaspore, a transparent crystal prized for its jewelry-grade quality, is uniquely sourced from the mining operations on Ilbir Mountain near the village of Pinarcik, within Turkey’s Milas District, Muğla Province. Although gem diaspore from Turkey has been known since the late 1970s, it wasn’t until commercial mining commenced in 2005 that a consistent supply became available, marketed under various trade names like Zultanite and Csarite.
Despite being the birthplace of significant civilizations such as the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, Turkey isn’t typically associated with gemstones. However, Zultanite, paying homage to the 36 sultans of the Ottoman Empire, emerged as a distinguished exception. Anatolia, translating to ‘sunrise’ in ancient Greek, boasts breathtaking landscapes that beautifully complement this extraordinary gemstone.
Ancient Eastern sages lauded this stone, with sultans adorning rings featuring it, often presenting it to their spouses and concubines. The name Diaspore itself carries meaning, signifying dissipation, one of the stone’s oldest monikers. Through skillful cutting, it reveals a dazzling play of light, though jewelry production faces challenges due to the stone’s fragility, necessitating expertise for proper facet work.
Chemically, Diaspore comprises aluminum oxide with water content. Its color varies under different lighting conditions: pale green with yellow flashes under daylight or fluorescent light, golden champagne under incandescent lighting, and pinkish-red under softer illuminations like candlelight. Larger stones exhibit more pronounced color-changing effects, while recent laboratory treatments have enabled even smaller stones to achieve this captivating phenomenon.