Difference between revisions of "Tanzanite"
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[[File:Tanzanitebraceletf5.jpg|thumb|Tanzanite bracelet]] | [[File:Tanzanitebraceletf5.jpg|thumb|Tanzanite bracelet]] | ||
== Description == | == Description == | ||
| − | [[File:Tansanitvt.jpg|thumb|Tanzanite stone]]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. | + | [[File:Tansanitvt.jpg|thumb|Tanzanite stone]] |
| + | 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. | ||
== Synonyms and Related Terms == | == Synonyms and Related Terms == | ||
zoisite; Tansanit (Deut.); tanzanita (Esp.); tanzanite (Fr.) | zoisite; Tansanit (Deut.); tanzanita (Esp.); tanzanite (Fr.) | ||
| − | + | [[File:Zoisite IR-ATR RRUFF R050038.png|thumb|IR spectrum of tanzanite from [https://rruff.info/tanzanite/display=default/R050038 RRUFF]]] | |
| + | [[File:Zoisite Raman RRUFF R050038.png|thumb|Raman spectrum of tanzanite from [https://rruff.info/tanzanite/display=default/R050038 RRUFF]]] | ||
==Physical and Chemical Properties== | ==Physical and Chemical Properties== | ||
| − | + | * Luster = vitreous | |
| − | * | + | * Cleavage = perfect in one direction |
* Fracture = uneven. | * Fracture = uneven. | ||
* Streak = white | * Streak = white | ||
* Mohs Hardness = 6.0 - 6.5 | * Mohs Hardness = 6.0 - 6.5 | ||
* Density = 3.2-3.4 g/ml | * Density = 3.2-3.4 g/ml | ||
| − | + | * Refractive index = 1.691-1.700 | |
| + | * Birefringence = 0.008 - 0.013 | ||
| + | * Pleochroism = Strong; usually blue, purplish red and greenish yellow | ||
| + | * Fluorescence = inert | ||
== Comparisons == | == Comparisons == | ||
Revision as of 15:03, 11 December 2022
Description
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; Tansanit (Deut.); tanzanita (Esp.); tanzanite (Fr.)
IR spectrum of tanzanite from RRUFF
Raman spectrum of tanzanite from RRUFF
Physical and Chemical Properties
- Luster = vitreous
- Cleavage = perfect in one direction
- Fracture = uneven.
- Streak = white
- 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; usually blue, purplish red and greenish yellow
- Fluorescence = inert
Comparisons
Properties of Common Gemstones
Resources and Citations
- 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: 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
- The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998