Californite

Californite is a translucent, compact cryptocrystalline green variety of Vesuvianite. It is usually mottled and found in masses. Californite is used as a jewelry-industrial stone.

Colour vary from apple to lime green. Occasionally the material has vivid green chromium inclusions that stand out against lighter background.

Californite is also known as "California jade" or "American jade".
General Information
A variety or type of:Vesuvianite
Other Names/Trade Names:
Chemical Formula
Ca
 
10
Mg
 
2
Al
 
4
(SiO
 
4
)
 
5
(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
Physical Properties of Californite
Mohs Hardness6.5
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Specific Gravity3.32 to 3.47
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
TenacityBrittle
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Cleavage QualityPerfect
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
Optical Properties of Californite
Refractive Index1.700 to 1.725
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Optical CharacterUniaxial
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) Though biaxial examples have been recorded
Birefringence0.001 to 0.012
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
PleochroismWeak; present colour lighter and darker
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Colour
Colour (General)Green
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
TransparencyTranslucent
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
LustreVitreous,Resinous
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Fluorescence & other light emissions
Fluorescence (General)None
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Crystallography of Californite
Crystal SystemTetragonal
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
HabitPrismatic
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
Further Information
Mineral information:Californite information at mindat.org
Significant Gem Localities
USA
 
  • California
    • Siskiyou County
      • Klamath Mountains
        • Happy Camp
          • Greens Bar placer
Melhase, John (1935c), Some garnet localities of California: Mineralogist: 3(11): 23; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 196.
        • Preston Peak
Gems & Minerals (1963): July: 20-22; USGS (2005), Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS): U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia, loc. file ID #10286810.
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