Vesuvianite

Object/Artifact

-

Crater Rock Museum

Name/Title

Vesuvianite

Entry/Object ID

2013.1.29

Description

Chemical Composition: SiO2 Crystal System: Triclinic System Description: Common Name: Vesuvianite Chemistry: Ca10(Mg, Fe)2Al4(SiO4)5(Si2O7)2(OH,F)4 Group: Silicates Location: Asbestos, Quebec, Canada Description: This is a small specimen with a generally cubic shape. The color is a dull tannish-brown with a mica-like reflective surface. Physical Charateristics: Vesuvianite, also known as idocrase, is a green, brown, yellow, or blue silicate mineral. Vesuvianite occurs as tetragonal crystals in skarn deposits and limestones that have been subjected to contact metamorphism.[2] It was first discovered within included blocks or adjacent to lavas on Mount Vesuvius, hence its name. A bluish variety known as cyprine has been reported from Franklin, New Jersey and other locations; the blue is due to impurities of copper. Californite is a name sometimes used for jade-like vesuvianite, also known as California-, American- or Vesuvianite-jade. Xanthite is a manganese rich variety. Wiluite is an optically positive variety from Wilui, Siberia. Idocrase is an older synonym sometimes used for gemstone-quality vesuvianite. Fracture: Conchoidal Hardness: 8 Topaz Luster: Glassy Rock Type: Sedimentary Specific Gravity: 2.68-2.72 Streak: White

Collection

RAGM Mineral Collection

Acquisition

Accession

2013.1

Source or Donor

Crater Rock Museum (Misc. donors)

Acquisition Method

Gift

Dimensions

Width

1-5/8 in

Depth

1-3/8 in

Length

1-5/8 in

Location

Location

Drawer

Top Shelf

Shelf

Right

Cabinet

Case# 33

Wall

East

Building

Freida Smith Hall

Category

Permanent