A close up of preserving this wonderful gift of nature

Article 2004

Bolivia’s ametrine production might have ceased by now if not for recent dramatic changes by Ramiro Rivero, owner of Minerales y Metales del Oriente, which operates Anahí, the ametrine mining concession in southeastern Bolivia. Rivero is transforming the mine, the company and the gemstone Bolivians proudly call bolivianita.

Preserving the Pantanál
Rivero is also mindful of social and environmental responsibilities. Anahí is located on the Bolivian side of a nature preserve that borders Brazil called the Pantanál, which means “swampy area” in Spanish. It swarms with a multitude of caimans, snakes, insects and parrots. Jaguars have been seen loping through the jungle near Anahí, and coral snakes have been known to slither into the mine’s dining hall. But Rivero has strict rules against hunting and fishing.
The company also hired the Ayoreo tribal community from the nearby village of Rincón del Tigre (Tiger’s Corner) to patrol the jungles in search of illegal poachers. Rivero is developing plans for future ecotourism as a way to diversify his business.
The efforts of Minerales y Metales del Oriente have been recognized by U.S. entities such as the U.S. Agency for International Development, which rewards and recognizes forward-thinking companies in Bolivia.
The biggest change of all, however, is the way ametrine’s producers want you to think of the gem’s many-hued colors. Stay tuned.
– by Robert Weldon, G.G.
ALL PHOTOS BY ROBERT WELDON

Ametrine can be cut to show peach, orange and lavender – an optical mix of its purple and yellow color zoning. This gem was faceted by cutter Rick Stinson, Wichita, KS.

Classic ametrine, such as this one photographed on top of an ametrine crystal, exhibits 50/50 color zoning. The cutting style, while popular, is not the most efficient use of the rough.

Alfredo Jacobs, chief geologist at Anahí, sits inside a gigantic amethyst geode at Bolivia’s Anahí mine.

Rough expert Enrique Sanjinez examines an ametrine for quality classification at the Anahí mine.

This suite of fantasy cuts shows ametrine can be cut in repeatable shapes. Each stone maintains an individual character because of its unique color zoning. Gems courtesy of Stuller, Lafayette, LA.