gemstone dictionary
ScapoliteAlso: Wernerite.
An isomorphous series between the endmembers Marialite and Meionite.
Name: from Greek skapos = rod and lithos = stone
Scapolite crystals are long and slender "rod-like" prisms
Can be confused with: Due to similar colour and optical data scapolite is easy to confuse with quartz.
Localities: Tanzania, Madagascar, Burma, China, Brazil, Canada, USA
numerous other localities of little commercial value.
Handling: Scapolite is heat-sensitive – handle whith care during soldering
Perfect cleavage – handle very carefully during setting.
Interesting facts: By far the most common colour is yellow. Purple scapolite and pink scapolite catīs eye are much rarer and sought after by collectors.
 
Two yellow scapolites from Tanzania
 
Two grey Scapolite catīs eyes from Sri Lanka
This way to the shop
Gemmological Properties of Scapolite | | Formula | 3NaAlSi3O8·NaCl - 3CaAl2Si2O8·CaCO3 | | Crystal system | tetragonal | | Mohs hardness | 5.5-6 | | Specific gravity | 2.56-2.77 | | Refractive index | doubly refractive, R.I. may vary from 1.522-1-534 to 1,571-1,607 | | Max. Birefringence | varies from 0,004 to 0,020 | | Pleochroism | none | | Luminiscence | yellow: purple-bluish red, pink: orange-red | | Lustre | vitreous | | Cleavage | perfect, prismatic | | Fracture | conchoidal | | Colour | yellow (most common), purple, pink, colourless | | |
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