VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(CCNMatthews - Sept. 15, 2005) - True North Gems (TSX VENTURE:TGX) is pleased to announce that further to the Company's press release of September 6, 2005, the discovery parcel of rubies and pink sapphires collected from the Aappaluttoq (Big Red) occurrence has returned 244 grams (1,220 carats) of coarse gem-grade material and 533 grams (2,665 carats) of total gem from 100 kilograms of talus recovered from the site. This material is in addition to the previously announced 40 gram (200 carat) ruby also recovered at Aappaluttoq.
Pink Sapphire
Ruby Stone Count (grams(i)) Stone Count (grams(i))
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Stone Near- Non- Stone Near- Non-
Size Gem Gem Gem Size Gem Gem Gem
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+8.0 mm 155.41 269.27 14.28 +8.0 mm 98.42 78.43 20.63
+4.0 mm 134.68 136.86 7.73 +4.0 mm 119.98 52.7 3.21
+2.0 mm 12.78 11.68 7.47 +2.0 mm 12.37 1.52
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Total 302.87 417.81 29.48 Total 230.77 132.65 23.84
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(i) 1 gram equals 5 carats
The discovery parcel stone count is significant in that demonstrates the large percentage of gem-grade stones and also the high percentage of gem crystals greater than 8 mm in size. The average weight of the 113 stones that make up the combined +8 mm gem fraction is 2.25 grams (11.25 carats) with a range from 0.72 grams (3.6 carats) to 9.63 grams (48.15 carats). No value has been assigned to the parcel. These stones are currently being prepared for immediate manufacturing.
The parcel of material was recovered from a 100 kilogram sub-sample that was processed by screening in the field. The sub-sample is part of a 1,000 kilogram sample which remains in Greenland and is waiting further processing. In addition to the 1,000 kilos of talus material collected from the surface immediately adjacent to the discovery outcrop, True North's field crews also collected 1.7 tonnes of ruby-bearing material for geological assessment.
Ruby is one of the rarest and most valuable gemstones on earth. It is a variety of the mineral corundum that acquires its red colour from the element chromium which also induces fluorescence in the stone, making the ruby appear to glow from within. Large, high-quality rubies can exceed diamonds in value and sell in the range of $1,450 (U.S.) to $25,000 (U.S.) per carat. Pink sapphire is a variety of corundum which contains lesser amounts of chromium, resulting in a lighter colour ranging from reddish pink to pale pink.
True North Gems Inc. is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and is engaged in the exploration and development of North American coloured gemstone prospects. The Company is a pioneer in coloured gemstone exploration and owns 100% interest in the Yukon-based Tsa da Glisza emerald property and the rights to earn 100% interest in the Baffin sapphire property located on Baffin Island and the Fiskaenesset ruby and pink sapphire property in Greenland.
The Company relies on litigation protection for "forward-looking" statements.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
True North Gems Inc.
William Rohtert
C.O.O.
(604) 687-8055 or 1-800-399-8055
True North Gems Inc.
Ken Shortt
Investor Relations
(604) 687-8055 or 1-800-399-8055
ken@truenorthgems.com
www.truenorthgems.com
