Thulite (manganese-bearing Zoisite) (new discovery)

Item Description

A really attractive, colorful, full-sized thumbnail from a very new discovery in January 2019. We were very excited to pick up some specimens of these electric pink Thulite (manganian Zoisite) from a roadcut / tunnel construction at Snillfjord, Norway. The material was called Thulite for years, and was at one time a valid species. Interestingly, "Thulite" has been reported from more localities (including the type locality) in Norway than any other country. It is important to note that Thulite is considered maganian not manganoan as the content of the manganese content is trivalent no divalent. This piece features a dense rich coverage of intensely colored salmon pink colored Thulite free of matrix. With strong magnification, I can say that the Thulite is crystalline, not fully crystallized, but the electric color is what's most important. One rarely sees this amazing hue of pink in any mineral specimens. A great piece to add to a rarities collection or a suite of Norwegian minerals.