Tremolite

specimen number:
8311461

location:
Merelani Hills, Manyara, Tanzania

description:

An attractive cluster of lustrous highly translucent green tremolite crystals without matrix. In excellent condition. A beautiful example for the species.

The Merelani Hills, located in the Manyara Region of northern Tanzania, are situated within the Lelatema Mountains in a complex geological environment of the Neoproterozoic Mozambique Belt. Geologically, the deposit consists of high-grade metamorphic rocks, specifically graphite-bearing sillimanite-kyanite-quartz-feldspar gneisses and marbles that have undergone intense hydrothermal alteration. The locality is famously known for chrome-rich tremolite, which occurs as vibrant, transparent to translucent, emerald-green crystals that owe their distinct coloration to the presence of chromium. Historically, mining and quarrying in the area gained international fame following the 1967 discovery of tanzanite, with the hills being divided into various blocks (A, B, C, and D) for organized extraction. Modern operations have evolved from artisanal pits to sophisticated underground tunnels, and as of 2026, Merelani remains an active and vital source for both gemstones and rare mineral specimens. The region continues to be a primary global locality for studying the unique mineralization of vanadium and chromium within metamorphosed black shales.

Questions about this specimen?
Send an email or call us: 314-341-1811.