Scapolite

Description

Any of several fluorescent silicates used as gemstones. Scapolites are transparent to translucent stones that occur in pastel shades of yellow, pink, lavender and cat's eye. Two types of scapolites are: marialite (sodium aluminosilicate), and meionite (calcium aluminosilicate). Scapolites are mined in Myanmar (formerly Burma), East Africa, Sweden (Kiruna), Australia (Queensland), Canada (Quebec, Ontario-yellow), the U.S. (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania) and Mexico (Oaxaca-white).

Synonyms and Related Terms

wernerite (former group name); marialite; meionite; sodalite; dipyre (now used for the marialite-rich variety); mizzonite (now used for the meionite-rich variety); escapolite (Port.)

Other Properties

Short, square prismatic crystals. Cleavage is distinct in two directions. Fluorescent.

Streak = white. Luster = vitreous. Fracture = conchoidal to uneven.

Mohs Hardness	5.0 - 6.0
Density	2.3-2.8
Refractive Index	1.483 - 1.600

Additional Information

Mineralogy Database: Scapolite