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Vesuvianite, also known as idocrase, is a green, brown, yellow, blue or violet silicate mineral. Vesuvianite occurs as tetragonal crystals in skarn deposits and limestones that have been subjected to contact metamorphism. It was first discovered within included blocks or adjacent to lavas on Mount Vesuvius, hence its name. A bluish variety known as cyprine has been reported from Franklin, New Jersey and other locations; the blue is due to impurities of copper. Californite is a name sometimes used for jade-like vesuvianite, also known as California-, American- or Vesuvianite-jade. (source: Wikipedia) Return to List Back to Michael's Hobbies page Back to Michael Marcotte's HomePage