Artist Naomi Sarna carved the 703-carat blue tanzanite in 2013. Following an official weigh-in on 9 March at the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals in Oregon, the gemstone is now the new record holder.
Known as ‘L’Heure Bleu,’ the gemstone is set on a sterling silver base inspired by the winds of the Great Rift Valley in Tanzania. Tanzanite was first identified in 1967.
The gemstone was discovered in the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Sarna was initially asked to create the carving for an international competition in 2013 – the American Gem Trade Association’s annual Spectrum Awards.
Sarna plans to donate the profits from the sale of the L’Heure Bleu to the Portland-based Casey Eye Institute to provide eyecare for the Maasai of Tanzania.
“The Guinness World Records brings international recognition and attention to my tanzanite carving L'Heure Bleu,” she told National Jeweler.
“This recognition gives great strength to my promise to help the Maasai with their vision difficulties. This is the cornerstone for our future hopes to provide eye care to the Maasai in Tanzania.”
The official witnesses of the weigh-in were Jessie English of J.S. English Appraisals and Madeline Saunders of Oregon Estate Jewelry. Guinness World Records adjudicator Michael Empric verified the results.
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