7 Photos
Thulite
Chemical Formula	(Ca,Mn)2Al3(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
Species	Silicates
Crystal System	Orthorhombic
Mohs Scale	6.5
Specific Gravity	3.10-3.38
Color	Pink
Streak	White or colorless
Luster	Vitreous, pearly on cleavage surfaces
Refractive Index	1.69-1.70
Cleavage	Perfect imperfect
Fracture	Uneven to conchoidal
Crystal Habit：Massive
Geological Setting：Much of the so-called thulite from granite pegmatites, particularly in North Carolina, has proven to be clinothulite (Richard C. Erd, unpublished data, 1996).

Thulite (sometimes called rosaline) is an opaque, massive pink manganese-bearing variety of the mineral zoisite. Manganese substitutes for calcium in the structure with up to two percent Mn²⁺. Thulite is often mottled with white calcite and occurs as veins and fracture fillings transecting many types of rock. In mineralogical literature, thulite may sometimes refer to any pink zoisite. Clinothulite is the manganese bearing variety of monoclinic clinozoisite.

Thulite was first discovered at a place called Sauland in Telemark, Norway in 1820. It is named after the mythical island of Thule in the belief that the island is Norway. Thulite is used as a gemstone and carving material in the manufacture of jewellery and ornamental objects.

Thulite is also found in the Austrian Tyrol, in Mitchell County, North Carolina, and in Western Australia. A new, more recent find of high quality thulite was discovered near Riverside in Okanogan County, Washington, USA.