Vesuvianite

Item Description

This doubly-terminated, olive-tinted Vesuvianite from Mali is a first-rate example of the species from here, especially when you consider the quality usually diminishes the larger they get. The form is excellent (who doesn't like doubly-terminated?), and the luster superb. There are some dips in the faces, which is typical for these Vesuvianites, but the overall appearance is aesthetic, and the size impressive. According to the catalogue, this crystal was originally in the collection of Bill Dameron, who was the US Ambassador to Mali for 1993-1995 and was, as a side role then, instrumental in exporting and bringing these to market after one day he found some examples for sale by a street vendor.