(via The Canadian Gemmologist, Vol.III, No.3, Spring, 1982) . I am quite new as a faceted gemstone. I have been known for a long time as massive material, but only recently did they discover me in transparent crystals. I am strongly pleochroic, and crystallize in orthorhombic prisms. If I were a bit harder, I could pass muster as one of the so-called ‘precious’ gemstones. But my hardness of 6½ does not mean that I am cheap. What am I?
Answer: Zoisite, variety Tanzanite
No comments:
Post a Comment