This client was looking for a pendant carved with the Chinese zodiac signs for her children: years of the tiger and snake. It is set with an unheated zoisite and a purple spinel, 18K gold.

Zoisite is a really interesting mineral: it is trichroic, showing often three distinct body colors, which are seen in different angles, brought forth in different light. This one showed mellow mauve, amber, and light lavender colors. When this mineral is heated, it becomes the intense blue-purple-violet called Tanzanite commercially.