Vesuvianite MANGANESE-RICH (Ref: 5809)

There are not many localities that can compete with the gorgeous green or purple Vesuviantite crystals that came from this now closed quarry near the town of Asbestos. And this specimen has both colors, with the base color being a distinct yellow-green with purple internal reflections and smaller zones here and there. The main crystal measures an impressive 3.2 cm tall, is gemmy translucent, incredibly beautiful and with a vitreous luster; just like the smaller ones on this great specimen. The display side is largely pristine with only a few imperfections at the base, and a contact spot on the back. I still vividly remember when Canadian mineral dealer Rodney Lee offered some flats with thumbnails of this material to the Saint-Marie-aux-Mines show in 1999. I was mesmerized by the colors and quality of these pieces, but there was so much of these pieces that one was tempted to think they must have come from a giant pocket. A misconception as it soon became clear and these specimens have now become extremely rare and sought after.