Thulite

Thulite is the pink variety of the mineral zoisite, a calcium aluminum silicate in the epidote group. The color is predominantly pink to rose-red, produced by traces of manganese substituting for calcium. It is typically opaque to translucent with a vitreous to silky luster. Crystals are usually massive or fibrous; the hardness on the Mohs scale is about 6 to 7. Thulite is not a separate mineral but a color variety of zoisite; specimens may show banding or zoned color.

Occurrence and distribution: The best-known source is Telemark, Norway, where thulite occurs in metamorphic rocks associated with other epidote-group minerals. It has been found in other localities around the world, but Norwegian material is widely used in jewelry and lapidary work.

Uses: Thulite is quarried for its pink coloration and used as a semi-precious gemstone. It is commonly cut as cabochons or fashioned into beads, carvings, and small decorative pieces. Its relatively moderate hardness makes it suitable for jewelry, though care is advised to avoid scratches and impacts.

Etymology: The name thulite derives from Thule, a classical reference to a distant northern land, reflecting its association with Norwegian sources.