Zoisite var. Yellow Tanzanite

Unknown Owner

Help improve this recordNo owner is registered for this specimen yet. If it's yours or you know more about it, you can add the owner, provenance, publications and other details.

Tanzanite is something that, of course, we all know and react to for the strong blue color. However, not all "tanzanite" is blue. Tanzanite is actually a local name for the mineral species zoisite, which comes in a variety of colors. While it is true that MOST Tanzanian tanzanite is blue, some is also yellow. Yellow Zoisite ("yellow tanzanite") is much more rare than the blue, although paradoxically not as expensive because the blue material has a stronger market among collectors and also the gem trade, which drives per-carat pricing. To me as a collector, that makes a good fine yellow crystal all the more desirable, as there are so few. Above 2-3 cm, you will see only a few per year, if that. This is a very fine, relatively large crystal of over 2 inches in height, and 38 grams. It stands proudly and holds its own with tourmalines and other gem crystals, but is so large and unusual in color and shape that it would leave most people guessing as to what it is. Comes with a custom lucite base.