Zoisites

Zoisite is the mineral, and tanzanite is its most famous member — blue zoisite, given its own name. What sits here is everything else the species does: chrome greens, soft yellow-greens, and bicolor crystals that carry two zones in one stone. Calling them all tanzanite would be wrong, which is exactly why they have their own page.

Zoisite is pleochroic like its blue cousin, so orientation is the cutter's decision, and at Mohs 6 to 7 it prefers a pendant or earring to a knocked-about ring. Standard millimeter sizes, ready to set.