Difference between revisions of "Tanzanite"

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[[File:Tanzanitebraceletf5.jpg|thumb|Tanzanite bracelet]]
 
[[File:Tanzanitebraceletf5.jpg|thumb|Tanzanite bracelet]]
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
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[[File:Tansanitvt.jpg|thumb|Tanzanite stone]]
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A pale-color transparent mineral that has been used as a [[gemstone|gemstone]]. Tanzanite is a variety of [[zoisite|zoisite]] composed of calcium aluminum silicate. Blue gem-quality stones were discovered in Tanzania in 1967. Tanzanite may be colorless, yellow-green, brown or bluish purple and refract flashes of blue, magenta and yellow. Most crystals are greenish gray and contain traces of [[vanadium|vanadium]]. These stones are commonly heat treated (600-700C) to produce a strong sapphire blue color gem.
  
A pale-color transparent mineral that has been used as a [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=gemstone gemstone]. Tanzanite is a variety of [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=zoisite zoisite] composed of calcium aluminum silicate. Blue gem-quality stones were discovered in Tanzania in 1967. Tanzanite may be colorless, yellow-green, brown or bluish purple and refract flashes of blue, magenta and yellow. Most crystals are greenish gray and contain traces of [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=vanadium vanadium]. These stones are commonly heat treated (600-700C) to produce a strong sapphire blue color gem.
 
 
[[File:Tansanitvt.jpg|thumb|Tanzanite stone]]
 
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
  
zoisite; Tansanit (Deut.); tanzanita (Esp.);  tanzanite (Fr.)
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zoisite; sorosilicate; Tansanit (Deut.); tanzanita (Esp.);  tanzanite (Fr.)
 
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[[File:Zoisite IR-ATR RRUFF R050038.png|thumb|IR spectrum of tanzanite from [https://rruff.info/tanzanite/display=default/R050038 RRUFF]]]
== Other Properties ==
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[[File:Zoisite Raman RRUFF R050038.png|thumb|Raman spectrum of tanzanite from [https://rruff.info/tanzanite/display=default/R050038 RRUFF]]]
 
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==Physical and Chemical Properties==
Pleochroic.  Fracture = unevenStreak = white
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* Orthorhombic crystal system with prismatic crystals, massive to columnar
 
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* Luster = vitreous to pearly
{| class="wikitable"
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* Cleavage = perfect in one direction
|-
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* Fracture = uneven to conchoidal
! scope="row"| Mohs Hardness
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* Streak = white to colorless
| 6.0 - 6.5
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* Mohs Hardness = 6.0 - 6.5
|-
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* Density = 3.2-3.4 g/ml
! scope="row"| Density
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* Refractive index = 1.691-1.700
| 3.2-3.4
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* Birefringence = 0.008 - 0.013
|}
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* Pleochroism =  Strong; dichroism or trichroism, usually blue, purplish red and greenish yellow
 
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* Fluorescence = inert
== Additional Information ==
 
 
 
Mineralogy Database: [http://www.webmineral.com/data/Zoisite.shtml Zoisite]
 
 
 
 
== Comparisons ==
 
== Comparisons ==
  
 
[[media:download_file_448.pdf|Properties of Common Gemstones]]
 
[[media:download_file_448.pdf|Properties of Common Gemstones]]
  
 
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==Resources and Citations==
 
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* Gem Identification Lab Manual, Gemological Institute of America, 2016.
== Sources Checked for Data in Record ==
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* Mineralogy Database: [http://www.webmineral.com/data/Zoisite.shtml Zoisite]
 
 
 
* R.F.Symmes, T.T.Harding, Paul Taylor, ''Rocks, Fossils and Gems'', DK Publishing, Inc., New York City, 1997
 
* R.F.Symmes, T.T.Harding, Paul Taylor, ''Rocks, Fossils and Gems'', DK Publishing, Inc., New York City, 1997
 
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* ''Encyclopedia Britannica'', http://www.britannica.com  Comment: "tanzanite" [Accessed 28 Sept. 2005].
* ''Encyclopedia Britannica'', http://www.britannica.com  Comment: "tanzanite" Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service. [Accessed 28 Sept. 2005].
 
 
 
 
* C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, ''Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals'', Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
 
* C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, ''Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals'', Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
 
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* Wikipedia: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanzanite Tanzanite] (Accessed Sept. 28, 2005 and Dec 2022)
* Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, at http://www.wikipedia.com  Comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanzanite (Accessed Sept. 28, 2005)
 
 
 
 
* Random House, ''Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language'', Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
 
* Random House, ''Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language'', Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
 
 
* ''The American Heritage Dictionary'' or ''Encarta'', via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998
 
* ''The American Heritage Dictionary'' or ''Encarta'', via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998
  

Latest revision as of 14:25, 20 December 2022

Tanzanite bracelet

Description

Tanzanite stone

A pale-color transparent mineral that has been used as a Gemstone. Tanzanite is a variety of Zoisite composed of calcium aluminum silicate. Blue gem-quality stones were discovered in Tanzania in 1967. Tanzanite may be colorless, yellow-green, brown or bluish purple and refract flashes of blue, magenta and yellow. Most crystals are greenish gray and contain traces of Vanadium. These stones are commonly heat treated (600-700C) to produce a strong sapphire blue color gem.

Synonyms and Related Terms

zoisite; sorosilicate; Tansanit (Deut.); tanzanita (Esp.); tanzanite (Fr.)

IR spectrum of tanzanite from RRUFF
Raman spectrum of tanzanite from RRUFF

Physical and Chemical Properties

  • Orthorhombic crystal system with prismatic crystals, massive to columnar
  • Luster = vitreous to pearly
  • Cleavage = perfect in one direction
  • Fracture = uneven to conchoidal
  • Streak = white to colorless
  • Mohs Hardness = 6.0 - 6.5
  • Density = 3.2-3.4 g/ml
  • Refractive index = 1.691-1.700
  • Birefringence = 0.008 - 0.013
  • Pleochroism = Strong; dichroism or trichroism, usually blue, purplish red and greenish yellow
  • Fluorescence = inert

Comparisons

Properties of Common Gemstones

Resources and Citations

  • Gem Identification Lab Manual, Gemological Institute of America, 2016.
  • Mineralogy Database: Zoisite
  • R.F.Symmes, T.T.Harding, Paul Taylor, Rocks, Fossils and Gems, DK Publishing, Inc., New York City, 1997
  • Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "tanzanite" [Accessed 28 Sept. 2005].
  • C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
  • Wikipedia: Tanzanite (Accessed Sept. 28, 2005 and Dec 2022)
  • Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
  • The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998