A New Unique Gemstone From Israel

The Fellowship  |  January 22, 2019

Israel welcomes a newly recognized distinct mineral – carmeltazite – named after the biblical site, Mount Carmel where it was discovered.

There are currently over 5,500 known minerals on Earth, with around 100 new minerals being added to the list each year. Most are quite unspectacular in appearance, with crystals too small to be used in jewelry or too rare to be of any economic interest.

Last week, the International Mineralogical Association recognized carmeltazite as a new, distinct mineral. The mineral was named after Mount Carmel where it was found and the elements it contains – Titanium, Aluminum and Zirconium.