Scapolite

Big Photo

Afghanistan
1.06 carats
© Rarestone.com

Scapolite is named after Greek word stick (in some sources "shaft") because of its square-section prismatic shape of the crystals.

Pink and violet Scapolite cat's eyes are known.

In mineralogy Scapolite refers to a group of related silicate minerals, including Meionite and Marialite. The name Wernerite is often given to Scapolite minerals intermediate between Meionite and Marialite.

Cut stones can reach several carats, yellow - to 70 carats and colourless - to several hundred carats.

Scapolite Gemstones by Colour

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

Scapolite Gemstones by Size

This table shows distribution of Scapolite 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:0.17 cts
Heaviest:33.44 cts
Average:5.74 cts
Total photos:63
Do you have a larger Scapolite? Why not upload a photo?
0.17ct to 3.50ct3.50ct to 6.82ct6.82ct to 10.15ct10.15ct to 13.48ct13.48ct to 16.81ct16.81ct to 20.13ct20.13ct to 23.46ct23.46ct to 26.79ct26.79ct to 30.11ct30.11ct to 33.44ct
General Information
Varieties/Types:
Marialite - A sodium-rich Scapolite.
Meionite - A calcium-rich Scapolite.
Petschite - Purple scapolite from Tanzania.
Wernerite - An intermediate between Meionite and Marialite.
Chemical Formula
Na
 
4
Al
 
3
Si
 
9
O
 
24
Cl to Ca
 
4
Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
(CO
 
3
,SO
 
4
)
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
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Scapolite Treatments
Colorless or yellow material, as well as scapolite cat’s-eyes, were found to turn a purple (amethystine) color on irradiation by X-rays, electrons, or on exposure to radium (Pough and Rogers, 1947; Pough, 1957). This strongly dichroic color faded rapidly on heating or on exposure to light, but was not stable even if the irradiated stones were kept in the dark. Naturally occurring scapolite of this color does not fade – Nassau (1984)
Violet color may result from irradiation of colorless to light yellow varieties: unstable - Blue Chart Gem Identification, Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, 2010, p 7
Physical Properties of Scapolite
Mohs Hardness5.5 to 6
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
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Specific Gravity2.58 to 2.74
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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TenacityBrittle
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Cleavage QualityGood
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
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FractureConchoidal
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
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Optical Properties of Scapolite
Refractive Index1.540 to 1.579
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
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Optical CharacterUniaxial/-
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Birefringence0.006 to 0.037
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
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PleochroismPink stones - distinct: colorless - pink; Yellow stones - distinct: colorless-(yellowish) - yellow; Violet/purple - strong: violet-blue - dark blue
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) Violet - strong pleochroism: violet-blue - dark-blueMore from other references
Dispersion0.017
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
ChatoyancyYes, star 4 (rare). Common pink, violet, colorless cat's eyes
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Colour
Colour (General)Yellow, rose-pink, violet, colourless
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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Causes of ColourVarious colors, color centers related to irradiation of Cl, CO23 or SO24 - groups present in the large voids of the crystal structure
W. William Hanneman, Pragmatic Spectroscopy For Gemologists (2011)
TransparencyTransparent
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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LustreVitreous
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Fluorescence & other light emissions
Fluorescence (General)Pink: orange, pink; Yellow: violet, blue-red
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
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Fluorescence (Short Wave UV)There are variable responses with some phosphorescence reported
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
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Fluorescence (Long-Wave UV)Yellow specimens from Myanmar give yellow to orange and some East African yellow stones show a very bright yellow-green
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
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Fluorescence (X-RAY)There are variable responses with some phosphorescence reported
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
Crystallography of Scapolite
Crystal SystemTetragonal
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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HabitPrismatic, usually with flat pyramidal terminations; masses are also known.
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
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Geological Environment
Where found:Occurs in regionally metamorphosed rocks, particularly in marbles.
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
Inclusions in Scapolite
Hollow tubes, needle-like crystals - Gemmological Tables, Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, p 8
Further Information
Mineral information:Scapolite information at mindat.org
Significant Gem Localities
Madagascar
 
  • Analamanga
    • Ankazobe District
      • Ambolotarakely
Madagascar, extraLapis, English No.1, 2001, p. 44
Myanmar
 
  • Mandalay Region
    • Pyin-Oo-Lwin District
      • Mogok Township
        • Kyauk-Pyat-That
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
        • Marble Ark
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
        • Mogok Valley
Gems, Sixth Edition, Michael O’Donoghue, 2006, p. 446
            • Dattaw-mid
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
[var: Meionite] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Gems, Sixth Edition, Michael O’Donoghue, 2006, p. 446
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
        • Pein-Pyit (Painpyit; Pyan Pyit)
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Peru
 
  • Ica
    • Pisco Province
      • Humay District
        • Tambo Colorado
J. Hyrsl (2012) Gemstones of Peru, p. 71
Tajikistan
 
  • Gorno-Badakhshan
    • Kukurt river
Zolotarev (1993)
    • Murghob
Tanzania
 
  • Dodoma Region
Barot et al. (1995)
  • Manyara Region
    • Simanjiro District
      • Lelatema Mountains
Gemstones of the world, W.Schumann, 2001, p.188
  • Morogoro Region
    • Uluguru Mts (Uruguru Mts)
      • Morogoro
Gems, Sixth Edition, Michael O’Donoghue, 2006, p. 446
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