Vesuvianite
A variety of Vesuvianite Group
What is Vesuvianite?
This rare and often attractive mineral was first discovered near Mt. Vesuvius in Italy. A wide range of colors occur across specimens, with various impurities causing yellow, green, blue, brown, red, purple, and violet hues. Particularly fine crystals may be carved and polished into gemstones (such specimens usually hail from Italy). A more opaque, often green variety of vesuvianite is found in California which is sometimes referred to as "California Jade."
Etymology & Origins
The name "vesuvianite" was given by Abraham Gottlob Werner in 1795, because fine crystals of the mineral are found at Vesuvius; these are brown in color and occur in the ejected limestone blocks of Monte Somma. Several other names were applied to this species, one of which, "idocrase" by René Just Haüy in 1796, is now in common use.
Healing Properties
Vesuvianite is believed to help create a sense of inner peace and tranquility. Often used to dispel anger and resentment, it is said that the vibrations from the stone bring one closer to the higher realm. A restorative stone, it is believed to help alleviate depression and open the heart to love.
Optical Properties
- Refractive Index
- 1.700-1.725
- Birefringence
- 0.002-0.012
- Pleochroism
- Orange/brown vesuvianite - weak: light body color, dark body color; Green vesuvianite - weak: yellow-green, yellow-brown; Yellow vesuvianite - weak: colorless, yellow
- Optical Character
- Uniaxial positive or negative
- Dispersion
- 0.019-0.025
Discover Values
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Vesuvianite Localities Map
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Associated Chakras
Key Characteristics
Rock Types of Vesuvianite
A sky bluish variety known as cyprine has been reported from Franklin, New Jersey and other locations; the blue is due to impurities of copper in a complex calcium aluminum sorosilicate. Californite is a name sometimes used for jade-like vesuvianite, also known as California jade, American jade 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.
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Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- Brown, yellow, brown-black, light green, emerald green, white, red, purple, violet, blue-green to blue
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 6.5
- Density
- 3.42 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous, Resinous
- Crystal System
- Tetragonal
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- Ca10(Mg, Fe)2AI4(SiO4)5(Si2O7)2(OH, F)4
- Elements
- Al, Ca, Fe, H, Mg, O, Si
Also Known As
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