Difference between revisions of "Tanzanite"
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== Synonyms and Related Terms == | == Synonyms and Related Terms == | ||
| − | zoisite; Tansanit (Deut.); tanzanita (Esp.); tanzanite (Fr.) | + | zoisite; sorosilicate; 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 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]]] | [[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 | + | * Orthorhombic crystal system with prismatic crystals, massive to columnar |
| + | * Luster = vitreous to pearly | ||
* Cleavage = perfect in one direction | * Cleavage = perfect in one direction | ||
| − | * Fracture = uneven | + | * Fracture = uneven to conchoidal |
| − | * Streak = white | + | * Streak = white to colorless |
* 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 | * Refractive index = 1.691-1.700 | ||
* Birefringence = 0.008 - 0.013 | * Birefringence = 0.008 - 0.013 | ||
| − | * Pleochroism = Strong; usually blue, purplish red and greenish yellow | + | * Pleochroism = Strong; dichroism or trichroism, usually blue, purplish red and greenish yellow |
* Fluorescence = inert | * Fluorescence = inert | ||
== Comparisons == | == Comparisons == | ||
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* ''Encyclopedia Britannica'', http://www.britannica.com Comment: "tanzanite" [Accessed 28 Sept. 2005]. | * ''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 | * 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) | + | * Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanzanite (Accessed Sept. 28, 2005 and Dec 2022) |
* 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 | ||
Revision as of 11:17, 17 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; 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: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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