Leucite

Big Photo

Italy
0.51 carats
© Rarestone.com

Leucite is named after Greek "leukos" - white, alluding to its typical colour.

Crystals are often twinned. Transparent facet rough is very rare.

Leucite is a rare mineral, the volcanic lava of Mount Vesuvius in Italy is the principal source of this material.
5 photos

Leucite Gemstones by Colour

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

Leucite Gemstones by Size

This table shows distribution of Leucite 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:0.51 cts
Heaviest:0.59 cts
Average:0.54 cts
Total photos:4
Do you have a larger Leucite? Why not upload a photo?
0.51ct to 0.52ct0.52ct to 0.53ct0.53ct to 0.53ct0.53ct to 0.54ct0.54ct to 0.55ct0.55ct to 0.56ct0.56ct to 0.57ct0.57ct to 0.57ct0.57ct to 0.58ct0.58ct to 0.59ct
General Information
Chemical Formula
KAlSi
 
2
O
 
6
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
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Physical Properties of Leucite
Mohs Hardness5.5 to 6
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Specific Gravity2.45 to 2.50
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Cleavage QualityPoor
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
FractureConchoidal
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Optical Properties of Leucite
Refractive Index1.504 to 1.510
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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Birefringence0.000 to 0.001
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Dispersion0.010
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Colour
Colour (General)Colourless, white, yellowish
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
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TransparencyTransparent
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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LustreVitreous
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Fluorescence & other light emissions
Fluorescence (Long-Wave UV)Mostly inert, sometimes orange to violet
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Fluorescence (X-RAY)Some but not all specimens may show bluish colour
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
Crystallography of Leucite
Crystal SystemTetragonal
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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HabitPseudo-cubic
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Geological Environment
Where found:Occurs with potassium-rich mafic and ultramafic lavas
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
Further Information
Mineral information:Leucite information at mindat.org
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