Vesuvianite
stock #9.1-159
Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos (now Val-des-Sources, Estrie,
Quebec,
Canada
4.1 x 3 x 1.5 CM (miniature)
price: $900
Pre Holiday 2017
A colorful and very well formed Vesuvianite with a main crystal showing an unusual shortened prismatic habit. From the great heyday of the Jeffrey mine, now sadly closed forever, this location produced the worlds very best Vesuvianites in many colors and forms. The main crystal is 2 CM across diagonally and well isolated from the mass of crystals and in fine shape. Rough areas and contacts exist but are mostly on the sides and back of this specimen. Color zoning and glassy luster give this extra pop in person.
Diopside on Graphite
stock #17.1-885
Merelani, Umba Valley, Lelatama Mountains, Arusha Region
Manyara Region,
Tanzania
2.9 x 2.2 x 2.3 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $390
Pre Holiday 2017
The gem Diopside crystals from Merlani are modern classics and can have brilliant form as seen here. The color is a yellow to pale greenish hue and the crystals are complete all around, undamaged and statuesque. The contrast with the Graphite adds a nice balance and the complex modified terminations are very distinctive. Good luster with gem clear areas but more translucent than transparent overall.
