Geologists and the general public are in amazement over the discovery of a brand-new mineral by the precious stone mining business Shefa Yamim in northern Israel.
Advertisements for carmeltazite, also referred to as "Carmel Sapphire," may claim that it is a more valuable mineral than diamonds.
The mineral, appropriately termed "carmeltaziite," was discovered encrusted with sapphire during mining in volcanic rock in northern Israel's Zevulun Valley close to Mt. Carmel. It was discovered during density studies to be harder than diamond.
Though chemically and aesthetically similar to sapphire and ruby, carmeltazite is unlike any sapphire that has ever been found on earth. In actuality, the chemical has only ever been discovered in space.
It has been challenging to mine and identify since the firm discovered it imprisoned within or in the fissures of diamonds within volcanic rock on Mount Carmel.
Carmeltazite's crystal structure is unusual.
During the Cretaceous period, it was created by volcanic eruptions along the Carmel crest, where 14 volcanic vents periodically released lava that eroded and submerged the Mediterranean.
The largest stone discovered so far measures 33.3 carats.
An Israeli business has trademarked the substance under the name "Carmel sapphire," and the Commission on New Minerals of the International Mineralogical Association has recognized it as a new mineral. The acceptance of new minerals is not unusual, but because to this mineral's remarkable rarity, many people were surprised by its discovery.
The business has identified some promising locations around Mount Carmel for future research of the mineral, but it is still more uncommon than diamonds. According to Abraham Taub, CEO of Israeli gemstone mining company Shefa Yamim, "Gemstone pricing is often a function of rarity." If introduced to the mineral market, carameltazite will unquestionably be substantially more expensive than them.
