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Vesuvianite (Idocrase)

Big Photo

Lake Magadi, Kajiado County, Kenya
2.87 carats
© Rarestone.com

Vesuvianite Gemstones by Colour

This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
 
 
 
 
 

Vesuvianite Gemstones by Size

This table shows distribution of Vesuvianite gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:0.47 cts
Heaviest: 8.27 cts
Average:2.90 cts
Total photos:5
Do you have a larger Vesuvianite? Why not upload a photo?
0.47ct to 1.25ct1.25ct to 2.03ct2.03ct to 2.81ct2.81ct to 3.59ct3.59ct to 4.37ct4.37ct to 5.15ct5.15ct to 5.93ct5.93ct to 6.71ct6.71ct to 7.49ct7.49ct to 8.27ct
General Information
Varieties/Types:
Californite - A compact green jade-like variety of vesuvianite.
Cyprine (of Berzelius) - A blue variety of vesuvianite coloured by traces of copper.
Other Names/Trade Names:
Chemical Formula
Ca
 
10
Mg
 
2
Al
 
4
(SiO
 
4
)
 
5
(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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Physical Properties of Vesuvianite
Mohs Hardness6.5
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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Specific Gravity3.30 to 3.50
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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TenacityBrittle
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Cleavage QualityPerfect
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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FractureIrregular,Sub-Conchoidal
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Optical Properties of Vesuvianite
Refractive Index1.698 to 1.723
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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Optical CharacterUniaxial/-
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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Birefringence0.001 to 0.012
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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PleochroismOrange/brown vesuvianite - weak: light body color - dark body color; Green - weak: yellow-green - yellow-brown; Yellow - weak: colorless - yellow
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
DispersionStrong
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
ChatoyancyRare
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Colour
Colour (General)Yellowish-green, green, yellowish-brown, violet
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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Causes of ColourGreen, Fe3+ in octahedral coordination; with possible influence of Fe2+Fe3+ charge transfer. Yellow, O2-Fe2+ charge transfer. Brown, Fe2+Ti4+ charge transfer
W. William Hanneman, Pragmatic Spectroscopy For Gemologists (2011)
TransparencyTransparent
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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LustreVitreous,Resinous
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Crystallography of Vesuvianite
Crystal SystemTetragonal
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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HabitPrismantic
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
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Geological Environment
Where found:Vesuvianite occurs in skarns formed during contact or regional metamorphism of limestones in serpentines and ultramafic rock
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
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Inclusions in Vesuvianite
Swirly appearance, rounded crystal inclusions, healing planes - Gemmological Tables, Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, 2004, p 20
Further Information
Mineral information:Vesuvianite information at mindat.org
Significant Gem Localities
Norway
 
  • Vestfold og Telemark
    • Hjartdal
      • Sauland
        • Kleppan
[var: Cyprine (of Berzelius)] Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
USA
 
  • California
    • Siskiyou County
      • Klamath Mountains
        • Happy Camp
          • Greens Bar placer
MacFall, 1951. Gem Hunter's Guide, 1st ed.
        • Preston Peak
Gems & Minerals (1963): July: 20-22; USGS (2005), Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS): U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia, loc. file ID #10286810.
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