Zoisite var. Tanzanite

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Tanzanite, the cornflower-blue gem variety of Zoisite, is one of the most famous and beautiful minerals one can own, rivaling even the finest Sapphires in the intensity of its blue. Named after the country where this variety was first found, the best crystals have been found in the Merelani Hills in Manyara Region, Tanzania and although many crystals are heat treated to enhance their blue colour, some are naturally so. This striking off-matrix crystal (with two smaller crystals alongside) is at the top end of colour and has excellent transparency. At 4 cm tall it presents a perfect demonstration of the classic bladed to prismatic habit and exhibits the famous pleochroism where its colour varies depending on the orientation by which the crystal is viewed, from blue to purple. With frosted inclusions at its base this crystal rises up to be extremely gemmy and its upper termination is exquisite, with magnificent sloping faces and just one slight area of contact damage along the upper section of one edge. The two smaller attached crystals are more inclusion rich but add to its character. There is damage around its base and very slight nibbles up along one edge, but otherwise is extremely high quality and of the finest colour. This is a really beauty miniature gem crystal specimen which, with good directional lighting, stands out as an extremely classy, high-calibre piece.