Clinozoisite

specimen number:
2133255

location:
Alamos, Sonora, Mexico

description:
Pinkish purple radiating sprays of clinozoisite crystals on matrix.

The clinozoisite locality near Alamos, Sonora, Mexico, is famous for producing unique specimens of the species that exhibit a striking pinkish-purple color. Geologically, these crystals are found in metamorphic skarn deposits where Tertiary intrusions interacted with Mesozoic sedimentary rocks, causing the formation of various calcium-aluminum silicates. The unusual pink-to-purple coloration is attributed to trace amounts of manganese within the crystal structure, a variation sometimes referred to in older literature as manganese-clinozoisite or thulite-like clinozoisite. Historically, while the Alamos region has been a major center for silver mining since the 17th century, these specific mineral specimens gained notice during the 20th century as local mining and exploration uncovered pockets of well-crystallized material. These specimens typically form as elongated, prismatic crystals or fibrous masses, often associated with white quartz or green epidote, providing a sharp color contrast.

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