Pietersite from a new but exhausting mine in China
Pietersite, a beautiful variety of tigereye, has been an important gem material for decades. A mine in Namibia was the only known location producing this rare gemstone before the recent find of the Chinese Pietersite. Limited production in Namibia and the embargo on export of tigereye rough by South Africa have caused the price of pietersite to rise dramatically.
Surprisingly, a very similar material was found and mined near Nanyang, Henan, China in 1993. It is called "eagle's eye" in China, due to the blue chatoyancy. Most people in China are unaware of pitersite and its popularity. They did not export the material to the west untill 1997. The Chinese pietersite is as beautiful as the one from Namibia, if not better. Chinese pietersite has a distinctive golden color (looks like real gold!). Si & Ann Frazier predict that the Chinese pietersite will become popular in jewelry industry (Lapidary Journal, May 1997, page 308-309). The new mine is closed now due to ground water problem. Fortunately, We have taken some rough out recently. There are a variety of colors: blue, blue-red (more red color than the Namibia's), red-golden, or red-tan-white, sizes from 1/2 lb to 100 lb. Excellent for cabling or carving. Only a limited quantity is available, $20-30/lb.. Please click the thumbnail picture to zoom it out for a closer look.
6 mm slabs:from left to right: golden-red, blue, blue-red, blue-red
6 x 4 mm to 35 x 25 mm large, weighting 20 to 1000 grams a piece, $1.00/g
Followed is a table about the cabochons available:
| Shape | Size (mm) | Color | Price (USD) |
| Oval | 40 x 30 | Blue with yellow, red or golden, partially white | $15.00 |
| Oval | 40 x 21 | Blue with yellow, red or golden | $12.50 |
| Oval | 30 x 22 | Blue with yellow, red or golden | $11.50 |
| Oval | 25 x 18 | Blue with yellow, red or golden | $10.00 |
| Oval | 20 x 15 | Blue with yellow, red or golden, red or golden | $8.00 |
| Oval | 20 x 12 | Blue with yellow, red or golden | $8.00 |
| Oval | 18 x 13 | Blue with yellow, red or golden, red or golden | $8.00 |
| Oval | 18 x 12 | Golden, red or blue with red | $10.00 |
| Oval | 16 x 12 | Blue with yellow or golden | $6.00 |
| Oval | 14 x 10 | Blue with yellow, red or golden | $4.00 |
| Oval | 12 x 8 | Golden, yellow or blue with red | $4.00 |
| Elongated Oval | 36 x 12 | Blue with golden or yellow | |
| Teardrop | 40 x 24 | Blue with yellow | $12.00 |
| Teardrop | 23 x 17 | Blue with yellow, red or golden | $10.00 |
| Teardrop | 20 x 14 | Blue with yellow, red or golden | $9.50 |
| Round | 10 | Yellow, golden or blue with red combination | $4.00 |
| Round | 8 | Yellow, golden or blue with red combination | $4.00 |
| Rectangle | 15 x 12 | Golden with blue | $5.00 |
| Square | 14 x 14 | Golden with blue, blue with yellow | $5.00 |
The color and texture of the cabs are similar to those in the follow images ( please click at it to zoom out).
