Master cutters orient color-change diaspore rough so the table facet is perpendicular to the direction of strongest color change while keeping the {010} cleavage plane parallel to the girdle (not the table). This orientation maximizes the visible alexandrite effect through the table, hides the dark green-brown pleochroic axis at the pavilion, and minimizes cleavage exposure to point impacts on the table — the three-axis problem unique to orthorhombic gem cutting.

The verified facts

This entry is part of the Zultpedia editorial archive on color-change diaspore from the İlbir Mountains of southwestern Türkiye. Mineral species: diaspore (α-AlO(OH)). Hardness: 6.5–7 Mohs. Refractive index: 1.682–1.752. Specific gravity: 3.30–3.39. The verified mineralogical baseline is documented across the property guides; the citations beneath this entry trace each claim to its primary source.

Editorial framing

Zultpedia treats color-change diaspore as a single-source mineral species first and a trade-name commodity second. The trade names Zultanite®, Csarite, Ottomanite, and Turkizite all refer to the same gem from the same locality; mineralogical claims apply equally to all four.

Cross-references

See also the related entries listed beneath this article and the property guides for verified physical and optical values.