Andalusite (var: Viridine) (Mn-bearing)

Item Description

In 2015, the Viridine occurrence just a few km east of the village of Theologos on this island of Thasos produced some attractive specimens of this beautiful rich green manganese-bearing variety of Andalusite. This small cabinet specimen hosts several crystals of dark chrome green colored Viridine measuring up to 6 mm with smooth, sharp, lustrous faces sitting on a silvery-bronze colored schist matrix with a bit of associated white Quartz. The smaller Viridine crystals are slightly gemmy when backlit. If you missed out on these attractive specimens a few years ago, don't pass this one up, as very little has been found in recent years, though this piece was collected in 2017 after the initial discovery.