Vesuvianite History and Folklore

A rare gem once worn by ancient Greeks and Romans as a protective amulet, vesuvianite, is a silicate mineral found in shades of green, yellow, brown, blue and violet.

In 1795, German geologist Abraham Gottlob Werner coined the name “vesuvianite” after discovering large high-quality crystals of this mineral near Mount Vesuvius; the infamous volcano in Italy that erupted in 79 AD and buried the entire city of Vesuvius and all the inhabitants in ash.  

One year later, in 1796, French priest and mineralogist, René Just Haüy named this same mineral “idocrase” derived from the Greek words “idos” and “krasis” meaning “mixed appearance” because the color range and crystalline forms are similar to zircon, tourmaline, peridot, jade, and varieties of garnet including demantoid, grossular and tsavorite.

Vesuvianite is the more popular of the two names, especially within the jewelry industry. However, it is common to see idocrase as the only name used within the mineral collecting and crystal healing communities.

Contemporary metaphysical practitioners use vesuvianite as a supportive gemstone for following one’s true path and calling in life.  Meditation with vesuvianite is believed to help align one’s body, mind and spirit with a desired vision for the future. Wearing vesuvianite will also help increase a sense of courage to make the necessary changes to transform one’s life and release old patterns restricting personal growth.  Vesuvianite is a prosperity gemstone, especially for those born under the zodiac signs of Sagittarius and Capricorn.

Origins and Gemology

The vast majority of vesuvianite is found in shades of green ranging from yellow-green to olive green and dark green to green-brown. The rarest vesuvianite specimens are blue to lilac in color and sometimes appear multicolored with streaks of yellow, reddish-brown or white.

 Gem-quality vesuvianite is often faceted or cut as cabochons, similar to jade. Transparent specimens that can be faceted are extremely rare and often under 1 carat weight.

There are no known treatments for enhancing vesuvianite. This makes it one of the few gemstones to remain completed untreated from mine to market. So, the beautiful colors you see is exactly how Mother Nature intended these gems to be.

Gemstone stone quality vesuvianite is mined in Canada, Ethiopia, Finland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Norway, Russia, Switzerland, Tanzania, and United States (Arkansas, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and New York).

How to Care for Vesuvianite Jewelry

Vesuvianite jewelry can be cleaned with warm water and gentle soap.  Let your jewelry pieces soak for a few minutes.  Then gently scrub with a soft brush, like an old toothbrush, rinse and let dry on a soft lint-free cloth.  Vesuvianite jewelry should be stored with care. It ranks 6.5 on the Moh’s Scale of Hardness and can be chipped and scratched by harder gemstones including diamonds, rubies and sapphires. Vesuvianite can also scratch softer stones, including pearls and opals, so it’s ideal to store vesuvianite jewelry separately from your more delicate pieces

Please note, all metaphysical and healing properties listed are collected from a variety of sources and shared for educational, historical and entertainment purposes only.  The authors and Michelle Pajak-Reynolds Studios LLC do not guarantee the validity of such statements nor is any of this information meant to treat medical conditions. If you have a medical concern, please consult your medical provider for appropriate treatment options.