VDiop114 - V, Cr Rich Diopside with Tanzanite - Block D, Merelani Hills, Lelatema Mts, Arusha Region, Namibia

Sharp, lustrous, transparent gem crystal of vanadium and chromium-rich diopside from Merelani. The diopside crystal has a vibrant light green apple color. Of added interest and rarity is the attached crude, transparent brown tanzanite crystal. There is also some minor graphite on and in the diopside crystal. This is a top-quality crystal with a superb termination from the 2006 find. 2.7 x 1.5 x 1.4 cm.

For more information on this locality, please see the superb article by John Jaszczak and Daniel Trinchillo in Rocks and Minerals, Vol. 88, Issue 2 (the abstract can be found here).