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Mineral Specimens with Zoisite
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2.3 x 0.9 x 0.8 cm. The two gemmy and lustrous, parallel-growth tanzanite crystals with sharp terminations exhibit classic, textbook pleochroism. The A and B axes are the beautiful, blue and blue-violet, while the C axis is a rich reddish-brown, nearly a clove-brown, indicative of natural unheated state of color (hard to photo). This is a fine, complete-all-around and pristine, untreated tanzanite thumbnail with textbook colors and sharp crystal form. Weighs 33.61 carats or over 6 grams.
2.1 x 1.1 x 0.7 cm. A very gemmy and lustrous tanzanite crystal. This pristine, complete-all-around crystal has a complex, sharp termination. The 3-sided, pleochroism color of this not heat-treated crystal is decidedly different and unusual: the A, frontal face is a very light purple; the B, side face is blue-green; and the C, vertical axis is reddish-brown. Weighs 22.56 carats or 4.5 grams.
2.9 x 1.4 x 0.8 cm. A very gemmy and lustrous tanzanite crystal. This pristine, complete-all-around beauty has a sharp, complex, stepped-growth termination. The 3-sided, pleochroism color of this not heat-treated crystal is classic: the A, frontal face is a very light purple; the B, side face is gray-blue; and the C, vertical axis is reddish-brown. The underlit photo highlights the crystal gemminess and color variations of the C axis. This classic crystal is nicely accented with graphite. The termination is very gemmy and highly representative of the species and locale. Weighs 29.72 carats or nearly 5 grams.
1.8 x 1.1 x 0.8 cm. A very rare, gemmy and lustrous, yellow tanzanite crystal thumbnail from the Merelani Hills of Tanzania. The internal crazing really adds to the attractiveness of this crystal, next to the gemmy areas. Yellow tanzanite is seldom encountered and is very seldom on the market. This rarity is complete-all-around and pristine. Weighs 16.38 carats.
5.7 x 4.6 x 2.2 cm. This fine and rich specimen from the Harding Pegmatite of New Mexico features gemmy, dark cherry-red piemontite lathes in a layered matrix of pastel-pink thulite, quartz and piemontite crystals. Both of these species are relatively uncommon from this famous locale. Classic, rare, old-time material from the Mullane Collection and accompanied by a Burminco label with a March, 1952 date on it.
3.0 x 1.4 x 1.1 cm. A gemmy and lustrous cluster of tabular, tapered tanzanite crystals. The primary crystals have very gemmy terminations on this pristine, complete-all-around specimen. The bit of matrix on one side adds character. The 2-sided, pleochroism color of this not heat-treated crystal is classic: the A, frontal face is a beautiful blue; and the B, side faces are a vivid purple. The base is too heavily included to give C-axis color. The termination is very gemmy and highly representative of the species and locale. Weighs 35.22 carats or just over 7 grams.
7.2 x 3.2 x 2.3 cm. This is an unusually fine specimen in several regards. Firstly, it has superb color - probably the prime attribute you first look for in a world-class tanzanite. All three colors of a natural trichroic tanzanite crystal are represented in strength: violet purple, blue, and a rich magenta-red along the c-axis. In the best tanzanites, to my opinion, some of the red from the c-axis (long axis) transmission of light bleeds over and is seen in horizontal planes, from one side or another, as in this case. Many larger tanzanites are too big or too opaque for the red color to transmit through the whole specimen when the piece is lit by a light aligned from the top or bottom: not so with this piece, where the deep red color not only shines out the top when lit from below, but does spill over a bit and mix with the purple hue form the sides. Secondly, it has top glassy lustre and internal brightness both (many larger tanzanites lack one or another feature). Lastly, this piece has excellent geometry. The mine produces singles in abundance, and few clusters, with a different look to them. This piece is a rare, natural doublet cluster, with great symmetry. The twin peaks of the piece are both very gemmy. Cushioned between them, in the crevasse, is a small prehnite ball for accent. This specimen is illustrated with a small and elite group of well-known, important specimens from the mine in the central photo folio of the recent special journal/book dedicated to Merelani's riches, MINERALOGICAL RECORD, Nov-Dec 2009. Weighs 113 grams.
2.4 x 1.7 x 0.8 cm. Rare, bi-colored tanzanites were prominently featured in the recent Merelani Hills article in the Mineralogical Record. This striking gem crystal has an interesting, double termination above the pastel yellow-green, base. The upper portion of the crystal displays the classic, 3-way pleochroism found in many zoisites: the A-axis faces are a pleasing purple; the B-axis faces are light blue; and the vertical C-axis show shades of red, even with the yellow-green base. This is a much in demand, highly representative rarity.
3.6 x 1.0 x 0.9 cm. This strongly dichroic tanzanite crystal is 47 carats (about 9.5 grams). It looks blue from one side, purple from the other - rotating 90 degrees to change colors. Of course, this is a product of heat treating to enhance this dichroism (commonly done for this material at the source), but this is considered acceptable in tanzanite crystals because of the obvious and interesting result. It has the obviously desirable qualities of intense color (and color change), great luster, sharp equant form, a superb termination, and excellent gemminess in particular atop. In person, the purple comes through much better than in photos.
A relatively large and extremely gemmy tanzie crystal at, I think, a very fair price! These are heated to get the color, but this is considered acceptable for the species. The crystal is complete all around save for a small , tiny, dign on top. Good tanzie specimens are now becoming very rare on the market as the source shifts to gem production in Tanzania itself, and rough supplies on the world market are drying up. It is almost pristine, and has a rich blue color to it that makes this material stand out in any case. 9.5 grams. 3.9 x 1 x 1 cm
A stunning, gemmy, "yellow tanzanite" crystal. It is not know why these specimens trickling out now lack the blue color component usually found in tanzanite, but they sure are pretty nonetheless. 13.58 carats 1.7 x 1 x 0.8 cm
A stunning GEM CRYSTAL, complete all around. Not just gemmy, mind you, but GEM QUALITY throughout. 17.26 carats. ALL cutting rough.... 1.6 x 1.1 x 0.9 cm
A remarkable specimen of sharply crystallized, elongate, olive-colored zoisite crystals from this remote mining valley! This is one of a handful of specimens (and one of the very top pieces) brought back to the US by dealer Herb Obodda in 2003. No more showed up this year, so it seems to have been a one-off shot. I think they are really quite dramatic specimens, this one in particular, as the crystals are displayed off the stalk almost like a carefully designed piece of artwork. In the past, sharp single crystals had been found at several times, but this is the first time I am aware of that large matrix specimens of this material turned up. 7.5 x 4 x 2 cm
A superb, gem-quality Tanzanite that demonstrates the classic color change along a and b axes. It is exceedingly glassy and gemmy! It should have a relatively high yield in stones from the large central zones. 2.2 x .9 x .6 cm (13 carats)
A gem crystal of zoisite from a new find in Pakistan, terminated on top, with some contact along one edge. You are probably familiar with the tanzanites from Tanzania, most of which are heated to create a nice blue color (this is an accepted practice). These from Pakistan are naturally grayish-green. 2.3 x .9 x .8 cm
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Rob Lavinsky, rob@irocks.com
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share specimen![Zoisite (Var: Tanzanite) from Merelani Hills (Mererani), Lelatema Mts, Arusha Region, Tanzania [db_pics/mdpics/MD-229675a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-229675a.jpg)
![Zoisite (Var: Tanzanite) from Merelani Hills (Mererani), Lelatema Mts, Arusha Region, Tanzania [db_pics/mdpics/MD-236583a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-236583a.jpg)
![Zoisite (Var: Tanzanite) from Merelani Hills (Mererani), Lelatema Mts, Arusha Region, Tanzania [db_pics/mdpics/MD-242265a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-242265a.jpg)
![Zoisite (Var: Tanzanite) from Merelani Hills (Mererani), Lelatema Mts, Arusha Region, Tanzania [db_pics/mdpics/MD-242265b.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-242265b.jpg)
![Zoisite (Var: Tanzanite) from Merelani Hills (Mererani), Lelatema Mts, Arusha Region, Tanzania [db_pics/mdpics/MD-242265c.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-242265c.jpg)
![Zoisite (Var: Tanzanite) from Merelani Hills (Mererani), Lelatema Mts, Arusha Region, Tanzania [db_pics/mdpics/MD-242265d.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-242265d.jpg)
![Zoisite (Var: Tanzanite) from Merelani Hills (Mererani), Lelatema Mts, Arusha Region, Tanzania [db_pics/mdpics/MD-249265a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-249265a.jpg)
![Piemontite, Zoisite (Var: Thulite) from Harding Mine (Harding pegmatite), Picuris District, Taos Co., New Mexico, USA [db_pics/mdpics/MD-261789a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-261789a.jpg)
![Piemontite, Zoisite (Var: Thulite) from Harding Mine (Harding pegmatite), Picuris District, Taos Co., New Mexico, USA [db_pics/mdpics/MD-261789b.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-261789b.jpg)
![Zoisite (Var: Tanzanite) from Merelani Hills (Mererani), Lelatema Mts, Arusha Region, Tanzania [db_pics/mdpics/MD-263869a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-263869a.jpg)
![Zoisite (Var: Tanzanite) from Merelani Hills (Mererani), Lelatema Mts, Arusha Region, Tanzania [db_pics/mdpics/MD-263869b.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-263869b.jpg)
![Zoisite (Var: Tanzanite) from Merelani Hills (Mererani), Lelatema Mts, Arusha Region, Tanzania [db_pics/mdpics/MD-271342a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-271342a.jpg)
![Zoisite (Var: Tanzanite) from Merelani Hills (Mererani), Lelatema Mts, Arusha Region, Tanzania [db_pics/mdpics/MD-271342b.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-271342b.jpg)
![Zoisite (Var: Tanzanite) from Merelani Hills (Mererani), Lelatema Mts, Arusha Region, Tanzania [db_pics/mdpics/MD-271342c.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-271342c.jpg)
![Zoisite (Var: Tanzanite) from Merelani Hills (Mererani), Lelatema Mts, Arusha Region, Tanzania [db_pics/mdpics/MD-274990a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-274990a.jpg)
![Zoisite (Var: Tanzanite) from Merelani Hills (Mererani), Lelatema Mts, Arusha Region, Tanzania [db_pics/mdpics/MD-284722a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-284722a.jpg)
![Zoisite (Var: Tanzanite) from Merelani Hills (Mererani), Lelatema Mts, Arusha Region, Tanzania [db_pics/mdpics/MD-284722b.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-284722b.jpg)
![Zoisite (Var: Tanzanite) from Merelani Hills (Mererani), Lelatema Mts, Arusha Region, Tanzania [db_pics/mdpics/MD-32128a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-32128a.jpg)
![Zoisite from Merelani Hills (Mererani), Lelatema Mts, Arusha Region, Tanzania [db_pics/mdpics/MD-33616a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-33616a.jpg)
![Zoisite (Var: Tanzanite) from Merelani Hills (Mererani), Lelatema Mts, Arusha Region, Tanzania [db_pics/mdpics/MD-33618a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-33618a.jpg)
![Zoisite from Shigar Valley, Skardu District, Baltistan, Northern Areas, Pakistan [db_pics/mdpics/MD-33965a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-33965a.jpg)
![Zoisite (Var: Tanzanite) from Merelani Hills (Mererani), Lelatema Mts, Arusha Region, Tanzania [db_pics/mdpics/MD-37858a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-37858a.jpg)
![Zoisite from Alchuri (Alchori; Aschudi), Shigar Valley, Skardu District, Baltistan, Northern Areas, Pakistan [db_pics/mdpics/MD-37974a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-37974a.jpg)