Pezzottaite

Pezzottaite was named after Dr Federico Pezzotta for his work on the granitic pegmatites of that island. Pezzottaite was discovered at the Sakavalana Mine, Ambatovita, Madagascar in 2002.

Pezzottaite has very rich, intense, distinctive pink colour.

Pezzottaite is one of the most rare and beautiful gems on the market nowadays.

Pezzottaite Gemstones by Colour

This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
 

Pezzottaite Gemstones by Size

This table shows distribution of Pezzottaite gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:0.25 cts
Heaviest:1.78 cts
Average:1.21 cts
Total photos:4
Do you have a larger Pezzottaite? Why not upload a photo?
0.25ct to 0.40ct0.40ct to 0.56ct0.56ct to 0.71ct0.71ct to 0.86ct0.86ct to 1.02ct1.02ct to 1.17ct1.17ct to 1.32ct1.32ct to 1.47ct1.47ct to 1.63ct1.63ct to 1.78ct
General Information
Chemical Formula
(Be,Cs)
 
3
Al
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
18
· 0.5H
 
2
O
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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Physical Properties of Pezzottaite
Mohs Hardness7.5 to 8
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Specific Gravity2.90 to 3.14
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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TenacityBrittle
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Cleavage QualityImperfect
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
FractureConchoidal
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Optical Properties of Pezzottaite
Refractive Index1.598 to 1.620
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Optical CharacterUniaxial/-
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Birefringence0.007 to 0.011
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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PleochroismStrong: pinkish-orange - purplish-pink
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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ChatoyancyYes
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
Colour
Colour (General)Rose-red, pink
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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Colour (Chelsea Filter)Faint pink-(orangy)
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
TransparencyTransparent,Translucent
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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LustreVitreous
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Fluorescence & other light emissions
Fluorescence (General)Mostly inert
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Crystallography of Pezzottaite
Crystal SystemTrigonal
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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HabitTabular
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Geological Environment
Where found:Occurs as isolated crystals in vugs in granitic pegmatites.
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Inclusions in Pezzottaite
Growth tubes, fractures, "fingerprints", fluid inclusions - Blue Chart Gem Identification, Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, 2010, p 5
Further Information
Mineral information:Pezzottaite information at mindat.org
Significant Gem Localities
Afghanistan
 
  • Kunar
    • Dara-e-Pech District
Herb Obodda
  • Nuristan
    • Parun pegmatite field
Lapis Extra (English) No. 7 (2005) p12
Madagascar
 
  • Amoron'i Mania
    • Ambatofinandrahana District
      • Mandrosonoro
        • Ambatovita
Laurs, B. L. et al. (2003): Pezzottaite from Ambatovita, Madagaascar: A new Gem mineral. Gems & Gemology 39 (4): 284-301
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