The smaller specimens are $5.50

Cubic shaped crystals

M786 -  Mexico

Vesuvianite, also known as Idocrase, is a mineral originally found on the volcano, Mt. Vesuvius, hence one of the names. The other name, idocrase, is from the greek amd means "mixed form", an allusion to its crystals showing a mixture of other mineral forms. Vesuvianite forms as a result of contact metamorphism on impure limestones and is usually found with other exotic minerals. A massive green gem variety is called californite from where it is found. It is a somewhat rare and beautiful mineral that can rival many other minerals for interest among mineral collectors.

Oddly enough, some of its structure is similar to that of grossularite, a garnet, which is an isometric mineral. Its structure is also interesting in that it is composed of both SiO4 groups and Si2O7 groups. Vesuvianite could be classified as a nesosilicates because of the SiO4 groups, but the higher organization of the Si2O7 groups puts it in the sorosilicate subclass.

Used mostly as crystal mineral specimens and the gemstone variety Idocrase as a gemstone. Color Yellow, green, brown; colorless to white, blue, violet, bluish green, pink, red, black, commonly zoned. Hardness 6 to 7.

Basic calcium, magnesium, aluminum silicate, often with some beryllium and fluorine. 

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