A New Gemstone

(via The Journal of Gemmology/2008/vol.31/no.1/2) R Chapman, I F Mercer, A H Rankin and J Spratt writes:

Thortveitite
Relevant factors in considering the origin of the studied stone may be summarized as thus:
- This gemstone was originally purchased as a waterworn pebble in Bangkok 2004. Of course, this could be simulated in a tumbler but given the lack of a developed gemstone market for this material, could this be a chance appearance?
- If material of this size, color and clarity is indeed synthetic, then more may have entered the market. If it has in fact been manufactured specifically for the gem market, it could be expected that further synthetic specimens are likely to have come to light during the past four years or more.
- The chemistry reveals a fairly pure scandium end-member material, which suggests possible synthesis.
- The inclusions are not particularly characteristic of synthetic material but thtey do indicate a likely hydrothermal origin. Published information on synthesis of thortveitite is currently confined to non-hydrothermal methods.
- Recent geological fieldwork results suggests that scandium minerals are more widespread than has hitherto been inferred.

My view is Bangkok is still perceived as an important gemstone refinery of the world. Gemstones species, both known and less known arrive in Bangkok one way or another from all corners of the world for processing. Top/commercial quality natural stones may be sold as natural or synthetic, synthetics as natural or synthetic, treated stones as treated, natural or synthetic. When colored stones are purchased in a mixed parcel of rough, anything is possible. But the discovery of thortveitite in a mixed lot in Bangkok is an interesting story. The stone could be a simulant for many purplish blue colored stones.