ZOISITE
Specimen zoi-2

Dims: 1.1 x 0.8 x 0.5" (2.8 x 2.0 x 1.3 cm)

Wt: 8.4 g w/ base

Alchuri, above Shigar, Baltistan, Northern Areas, Pakistan

This is the first example of green Zoisite crystals that I have ever seen! This small thumbnail specimen consists of several heavily intergrown crystals, almost all of which are damaged or broken. One of the longest crystals, however, is intact and measures over 1" (2.5 cm) in length. It shows only very minor damage on its termination and has good orthorhombic prismatic form, with well-defined edges and clean faces. All of the crystals have a dull green color with a hint of gray and a noticeable violet tinge, and range from translucent to transparent and very clear (most are transparent at their terminations and become cloudy at their prism lengths). There is no host rock present.

Dims: 1.12x0.91x0.44" (2.84x2.31x1.11cm)

Wt: 0.19oz (5.3g)

West Gate, Churchill County, Nevada, USA

This is a specimen of thulite, the pink variety of zoisite. While most of the specimen displays a massive form, there are areas of crystalization, and a high-power loupe does reveal a few good crystals. Also, while the pale pink thulite is dominent, the other colors (colorless, very pale green, and blue) appear to have the same form, and I believe that these are other varieties of zoisite, too. The specimen is significantly more pale in color than the image as seen on this computer, although the image looked perfect on the "camera" computer. Of course, it may look different on yours, as well.

Dims: 0.93x0.93x0.53" (2.37x2.35x1.34cm)

Wt: 0.35oz (9.9g)

Westgate, Churchill County, Nevada, USA

While there are other minerals present (notably quartz), the bulk of this specimen is granular thulite, the pink variety of zoisite. The individual crystals are too small to examine, even with my loupe.