This mineral was first discovered on the Italian volcano, Vesuvius. As small, perfect crystals. Also called idocrase. It may be red, yellow, green, brown, or purple. It is seldom used in jewellery, but it may be cut for collectors. Crystals are usually thick prisms with a square cross-section.

There are several varieties: califonite from California (USA) is green: rare, blue cyprine is found in Norway yellowish green xanthenes are from New York (USA): green dilute crystals are from the former USSR. Other localities include Austria, Canada. Italy and Switzerland.

Vesuvianite may be confused with demantoid garnet, diopside. epidote. Smoky quartz. Tourmaline, zircon, and peridot.