Difference between revisions of "Zoisite"
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| + | [[File:Tanzanitebraceletf5.jpg|thumb|Tanzanite bracelet]] | ||
== Description == | == Description == | ||
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thulite (pink); tanzanite (blue); zoisita (Esp.); zoisyt (Pol.); zoisite (Port.); Zoisit (Deut.); zoisiet (Ned.) | thulite (pink); tanzanite (blue); zoisita (Esp.); zoisyt (Pol.); zoisite (Port.); Zoisit (Deut.); zoisiet (Ned.) | ||
| − | + | [[File:Zoisite IR-ATR RRUFF R050038.png|thumb|IR spectrum of zoisite from [https://rruff.info/tanzanite/display=default/R050038 RRUFF]]] | |
| + | [[File:Zoisite Raman RRUFF R050038.png|thumb|Raman spectrum of zoisite from [https://rruff.info/tanzanite/display=default/R050038 RRUFF]]] | ||
== Physical and Chemical Properties == | == Physical and Chemical Properties == | ||
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* Luster = vitreous to pearly. | * Luster = vitreous to pearly. | ||
* Streak = white. | * Streak = white. | ||
| − | * Fracture = uneven to conchoidal. | + | * Fracture = uneven to conchoidal. |
| + | * Birefringence = 0.008 - 0.013 | ||
| + | * Pleochroism = Strong; usually blue, purplish red and greenish yellow | ||
* Fluorescent, especially thulite. | * Fluorescent, especially thulite. | ||
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== Resources and Citations == | == Resources and Citations == | ||
| − | + | * Gem Identification Lab Manual, Gemological Institute of America, 2016. | |
* Mineralogy Database: [http://www.webmineral.com/data/Zoisite.shtml Zoisite] | * Mineralogy Database: [http://www.webmineral.com/data/Zoisite.shtml Zoisite] | ||
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* G.S.Brady, ''Materials Handbook'', McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 435 | * G.S.Brady, ''Materials Handbook'', McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 435 | ||
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* ''Encyclopedia Britannica'', http://www.britannica.com Comment: "zoisite" [Accessed December 11, 2001]. (color photo)(tech info) | * ''Encyclopedia Britannica'', http://www.britannica.com Comment: "zoisite" [Accessed December 11, 2001]. (color photo)(tech info) | ||
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* 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: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoisite (Accessed Mar. 1, 2006) | * Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoisite (Accessed Mar. 1, 2006) | ||
Revision as of 16:06, 11 December 2022
Description
An epidote type mineral used as an ornamental stone. Zoisite was named for Baron Zois van Edelstein (1747-1819). It is a lustrous transparent to translucent stone whose color may be grayish-white, peach, pink (thulite), blue (tanzanite) or green. Zoisite has been quarried in Tanzania, Austria, Switzerland, Norway (Telemark), Italy (Piedmont), Germany, Scotland, Mexico and the U.S.(Tennessee, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania).
Synonyms and Related Terms
thulite (pink); tanzanite (blue); zoisita (Esp.); zoisyt (Pol.); zoisite (Port.); Zoisit (Deut.); zoisiet (Ned.)
IR spectrum of zoisite from RRUFF
Raman spectrum of zoisite from RRUFF
Physical and Chemical Properties
- Orthorhombic system with long, striated, prismatic crystals.
- Cleavage is very good lengthwise.
- Luster = vitreous to pearly.
- Streak = white.
- Fracture = uneven to conchoidal.
- Birefringence = 0.008 - 0.013
- Pleochroism = Strong; usually blue, purplish red and greenish yellow
- Fluorescent, especially thulite.
| Composition | Ca2(AlOH)Al2(SiO4)3 |
|---|---|
| Mohs Hardness | 6.0 - 6.5 |
| Density | 3.25-3.37 g/ml |
| Refractive Index | 1.685 - 1.725 |
Resources and Citations
- Gem Identification Lab Manual, Gemological Institute of America, 2016.
- Mineralogy Database: Zoisite
- G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 435
- Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "zoisite" [Accessed December 11, 2001]. (color photo)(tech info)
- 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/Zoisite (Accessed Mar. 1, 2006)