Chrome Tanzanite (chromian variety of Tanzanite)
Current inventory:  0 gems
 

  
Chrome Tanzanite is named for its chromium (Cr) content and its relationship with Tanzanite. Tanzanite is a Tiffany & Company tradename for the blue-violet variety of Zoisite and named after Tanzania, its country of origin.

Discovered in 1991; IMA status: Not Valid (variety name)

Chemistry

Chemical Formula:

Ca₂Al₃Si₃O₁₂(OH) + Cr

Calcium Aluminum Silicate Hydroxide + Chromium

More Information

Chrome Tanzanite is a variety of Tanzanite.
For more information please see the Tanzanite information page.
 

Synonyms:

Chrome Zoisite, Combat, Green Tanzanite, Green Zoisite, Güblinite

Type Locality:

Block B, Merelani Hills, Umba Valley, Lelatema Mts, Arusha Region, Tanzania

Year Discovered:

1991

Common Associations:

Albite, Biotite, Calcite, Garnet (Tsavorite), Hornblende, Quartz, Tanzanite (Zoisite)

View mineral photos:

Tanzanite Mineral Photos and Locations

More Information

Mindat.org (Chrome Zoisite)
Mindat.org (Zoisite)
Webmineral.com (Zoisite)

Chrome Tanzanite is a green, chromium (Cr) bearing variety of Tanzanite. Research has shown that the yellowish green to bluish green stones are colored by varying amounts of chromium and vanadium. When this green Tanzanite was discovered in 1991 in the mine at the Merelani Hills of Tanzania, local miners fist called it Combat, because they thought it resembled the green of military uniforms. The name Güblinite was proposed to the 1991 International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) congress in honor of Dr. Edward Gübelin's contributions to the gem industry. Mineralogists seem to prefer to call ths material green Zoisite, while many gem dealers have adopted the name Chrome Tanzanite, in reference to the presence of chromium as the coloring element. The name Chrome Zoisite has also been used. The name Green Tanzanite is the one preferred by the Tanzanian Ministry of Water, Energy and Minerals.

The Tanzanite deposit at Merelani was first discovered in 1967. To promote more organized minining in the area, the Tanzanian government divided the mining area into four sections, called A - D Blocks, that are mined independently but under government supervision. Green Tanzanite is reportedly being found only in B Block. Violetish blue Tanzanite was first mined by the openpit method; now most of the minig is underground. The gem-quality green Tanzanite was discovered in one of the deeper tunnels (B Block), at approximately 70 meters below the surface.
 

  
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