Scapolite is a rare and little known
gemstone. It is a beautiful gem that comes in many colors.
Scapolite was originally discovered in 1913 in the Mogok Stone Tract in
upper Burma (Myanmar). There, white, pink, yellowish or violet stones of
high quality are found.
Scapolite is actually the name of a series between the sodium chloride
rich mineral called Marialite and the calcium carbonate rich mineral
Meionite.
Distinguishing the Scapolite minerals from each other can be difficult.
Scapolites differ only slightly in density and index of refraction,
increasing in both with increasing calcium content. It is because of
this closeness in properties and yet seemingly very different
chemistries that Scapolite has had its share of pseudonyms the most
common being Wernerite. Scapolite
has also been know as Mizzonite, Dipyre, Marialite and Meionite.
Yellow
Scapolite
The name comes from the Greek "skapos", meaning "shaft" this is due to
the fact that it is commonly found in stubby to long prismatic crystals.
Scapolite comes in a nice variety of colors, white, colorless, greenish,
gray, yellow, brown, reddish, pink. Scapolite can be easily confused
with Amethyst, Citrine, Chrysoberyl and Golden Beryl. Most Scapolite
gems are not treated or enhanced in any way.
There is however Lavender Scapolite that is produced by heating rough
Scapolite.
Scapolite also comes in exquisite cat's eyes gemstones that are used in
fine Jewelry.
Lavender Scapolite
One way to tell Scapolite from other gems is by using a long-wave
ultra-violet light. Scapolite can fluoresce with a yellowish to orange
color. Quartz and Beryl gems do not display such fluorescence.
Scapolite is a little on the soft side similar to that of Opal.
Scapolite is best suited for pendants or earrings.
These gems should not be cleaned in an ultra sonic cleaner. Instead they
should be cleaned with a soft lint free cloth.
Scapolite is found in many areas of the World, unfortunately it is only
found sparsely and in small pockets, making it very rare. Some locations
include: Renfrow Co., Ontario; Franklin, New Jersey, Massachusetts and
St Lawrence Co., New York, USA; Arendel, Norway; Mount Vesuvius, Italy
and Mexico. Gemstone sources are found in Minas Gerias, Brazil;
Madagascar, Tremorgio, Switzerland,Tanzania and Burma.
|
COLOUR |
white,
colorless, greenish or gray but also yellow, brown, reddish, pink,
violet or blue colors are possible. |
|
LUSTER |
vitreous on freshly exposed
crystals or surfaces but weathering causes a dulling of the luster. |
|
Transparency |
Crystals are translucent to
transparent |
|
Crystal System |
Tetragonal; 4/m |
|
Crystal Habits |
Include prismatic to stocky
crystals terminated by a pyramid. Complete crystals are rare and
often the crystals will have distorted shapes with uneven faces. |
|
Cleavage |
Is distinct in several
prismatic directions producing a splintery almost fibrous appearance
in cleaved massive specimens |
|
Fracture |
Subconchoidal
to uneven |
|
Hardness |
5.5 - 6 |
|
Specific Gravity |
2.5 - 2.7 (average) |
|
Streak |
White
|
|
Other Characteristics |
Will often fluoresce either
orange, yellow or more rarely red under ultraviolet light and index
of refraction varies from 1.54 to 1.60 |
Yellow scapolite
faceted stocks
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