VESUVIANITE
Specimen ves-10
$ 310.00Dims: 2.2 x 1.6 x 1.5" (5.6 x 4.1 x 3.8 cm)
Wt: 4.07 oz. (115.4 g) w/ base
Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos, Quebec, Canada
This hand specimen consists entirely of intergrown Vesuvianite, or Idocrase crystals. These crystals reach lengths of at least 0.8" (2.0 cm) and diameters of 0.3" (8 mm). Though there is much damage visible on the piece, most of the crystals are intact and in good condition. Their tetragonal prismatic form is very good, and most crystals have double complex pyramidal terminations. Their edges are generally well-defined and their faces are basically clean, possessing a vitreous luster. Their color is intriguing, as one "side" of the piece is made up of crystals that are entirely yellow-green in color, whereas the rest of the crystals have reddish-violet prism lengths and pale yellow-green terminations. All are at least translucent, and some are quite transparent, though they are internally-fractured as a rule. There is no host rock or any other material visible on the piece.