Vesuvianite

Vesuvianite

By Tim Matthews, JD, FGA, GG, DGA,
CEO and President of JTV
Published: June 2014
Modified: November 2021
Vesuvianite Polished Vesuvianite Rough Vesuvianite Jewelry

Vesuvianite, also known as Idocrase after its discovery at Mount Vesuvius, has crystals that are prismatic and glassy. It is usually green or chartreuse in color, but may be found in yellow to brown, yellow-green, red, black, blue or purple hues.

General Information

Common Name
Vesuvianite
Species
Vesuvianite
Transparency
Translucent-Transparent
Dispersion
Strength: Weak Fire Value: 0.019
Refractive Index
1.713-1.718 Tolerance: (+0.003/-0.013)
Birefringence
0.003- 0.006
Optic Character
Uniaxial
Optic Sign
Positive or Negative
Polariscope Reaction
Aggregate (AGG), Doubly Refractive (DR)
Fluorescence
SWUV: inert to yellow or orange
LWUV: inert to orange yellow
CCF Reaction
None
Pleochroism
Dichroic, Un-observable or weak, varying shades of body color
Hardness
6-7
Streak
White
Specific Gravity
3.250-3.500
Toughness
Fair
Stability
Good
Fracture
Conchoidal, Granular, Uneven
Cleavage
Poor, in three directions
Chemical Name
calcium magnesium aluminum silicate
Chemical Formula
Ca10Mg2Al4(SiO4)5(Si2O7)2(OH)4
Crystal System
Tetragonal
Chemistry Classification
Silicate

Vesuvianite Colors

  • Green Vesuvianite
    Green
  • Green Vesuvianite
    Green
  • Purple Vesuvianite
    Purple
  • Red Vesuvianite
    Red
  • Blue Vesuvianite
    Blue
  • Brown Vesuvianite
    Brown
  • Yellow Vesuvianite
    Yellow
  • Green Vesuvianite
    Green

Alternate Names

Idocrase

Countries of Origin

Tanzania, United Republic Of; Afghanistan; United States of America (the); Kenya; Switzerland; India; Canada; Pakistan; Unknown; Norway; Russian Federation (the); Brazil; Italy

Care

Moderately soft, so be mindful of scratching