Zoisite var: Tanzanite

Item Description

Zoisite is probably best known to most collectors in its blue-purple variety, Tanzanite, found only in the Merelani Hills of Tanzania. Outside of Tanzania, most Zoisite crystals are a light yellow or greenish hue, but the presence of vanadium in Tanzanite crystals is what gives them the rich blue and purple colors. Occassionally you will find Tanzanite crystals with shades of pink, green, yellow and orange, but they are predominantly blue or purple. Tanzanite is one of the most popular gems in the world, and fine crystals are fast becoming some of the most desirable gem crystals / mineral specimen in the world. They are certainly among sought after minerals on the market these days. This piece is a wonderful large thumbnail / toenail sized crystal of this beloved material, featuring a sharp, lustrous single prism with fairly good gemminess on the upper portion. No real damage that I can see, save the bottom where it detached from the pocket wall, but this is the case for virtually all Tanzanite crystals. The piece weighs 10.2 grams.