Brazilianite Gem Guide and Properties Chart

Although this phosphate mineral has a hardness of 5.5, brazilianite is fragile due to its perfect cleavage and brittle nature. Most brazilianite is chartreuse to pale yellow and forms in granitic pegmatites associated with tourmaline and apatite.

General Information

Classification
Optical Properties
Characteristic Physical Properties
Chemistry & Crystallography

Common Name

Brazilianite

Species

Brazilianite

Transparency

Transparent - Translucent

Dispersion

Strength: Weak Fire Value: 0.014

Refractive Index

1.602-1.621
Tolerance:(+0.003/-0.003)

Birefringence

0.019-0.021

Optic Character

Biaxial

Optic Sign

Positive

Polariscope Reaction

Aggregate (AGG), Doubly Refractive (DR)

Fluorescence

SWUV: Inert
LWUV: Inert

Pleochroism

Unobservable

Hardness

5.5

Streak

White

Specific Gravity

2.940-3.000 Typical:2.970

Toughness

Varies

Inclusions

Brazilianite stones are rarely eye-clean and typically have natural inclusions.

Luster

Vitreous

Fracture

Conchoidal

Cleavage

Perfect, in one direction

Chemical Name

sodium aluminum phosphate hydroxide

Chemical Formula

NaAl₃(PO₄)₂(OH)₄

Crystal System

Monoclinic

Chemistry Classification

Phosphate

Brazilianite Colors

Green
Yellow
Yellow
Colorless

Countries of Origin

Unknown; Brazil