Zoisite var: Tanzanite

Item Description

Tanzanite is one of the most popular and well-known gem minerals (varieties) in the world. This blue/purple variety of Zoisite was first found in Tanzania in the 1960s, and to this day, it hasn't been found anywhere else in the world. This is a beautiful thumbnail sized piece featuring a group of compressed, sharp, lustrous, well-formed, crystals with a strong purple hue one direction, and a bright blue color the other direction due to the strong pleochroism of Zoisite. Tanzanite gets is color from the presence of vanadium, and there's a good amount present in this piece. No major damage to the multiple terminations, though the periphery is a bit rough where the piece was separated from the pocket wall. The specimen weighs 11.48 grams.