Vesuvianite (Idocrase)
Laurel, Wentworth, Argenteuil RCM, Laurentides, Québec, Canada
2.01 carats
© Rarestone.com
It is also called Idocrase (Greek - mixed form) with reference to the fact that its crystals usually combine the forms of other minerals.
Vesuvianite can be faceted or used in its massive form as a substitute for jade.
Vesuvianite Gemstones by Colour
This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
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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:0.32 cts
Heaviest: 8.27 cts
Average:1.93 cts
Total photos:39
Do you have a larger Vesuvianite? Why not upload a photo?
| General Information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 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 |
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| Physical Properties of Vesuvianite | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mohs Hardness | 6.5, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Specific Gravity | 3.25 to 3.50, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tenacity | Brittle, Handbook of mineralogy (2001) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cleavage Quality | Indistinct, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fracture | Uneven,Splintery, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Optical Properties of Vesuvianite | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Refractive Index | 1.700 to 1.725, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Optical Character | Uniaxial/+,-, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Birefringence | 0.002 to 0.012, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pleochroism | Orange/brown vesuvianite - weak: light body color - dark body color; Green - weak: yellow-green - yellow-brown; Yellow - weak: colorless - yellow, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dispersion | 0.019 to 0.025, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chatoyancy | Rare, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Colour | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Colour (General) | Yellowish-green, green, yellowish-brown, violet, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Causes of Colour | Green, Fe3+ in octahedral coordination; with possible influence of Fe2+→Fe3+ charge transfer. Yellow, O2-→Fe2+ charge transfer. Brown, Fe2+→Ti4+ charge transfer, Pragmatic Spectroscopy For Gemologists (2011) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transparency | Transparent,Translucent, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lustre | Greasy, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fluorescence & other light emissions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fluorescence (General) | None, Gemstones of the world (2001) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Crystallography of Vesuvianite | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Crystal System | Tetragonal, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Habit | Thick columnar crystals, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Geological Environment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Where found: | Vesuvianite occurs in skarns formed during contact or regional metamorphism of limestones in serpentines and ultramafic rock, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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