Cochise College          Photos of Minerals

                          Geology Home Page                

                          Roger Weller, geology instructor

                          [email protected]
                                  copyright 2006-R.Weller
 

Mineral Information on:
 vesuvianite

Chemical Group:    silicate

Chemical Formula:    Ca6[Al(OH,F)]Al2(SiO4)5

Color:  brown to green             Streak:  white

Transparency:  subtransparent to subtranslucent

 

Hardness:  6.5         Specific Gravity:  3.35 to 3.45                 

Luster:  vitreous to resinous      Fracture: sub-conchoidal to uneven

Cleavage:  not very distinct

 

Crystal Forms:  Tetragonal system
     Crystals are prismatic or pyramidal.
     May also occur in massive form.

Mineral Associations:  grossularite, phlogopite, diopside, wollastonite, epidote

Identifying Characteristics:  4 sided prismatic crystals and associated with garnet

Uses:

Occurrences: 

Toxicity:      when-swallowed-                            when inhaled-

Additional Information:  Also known as idocrase (when massive, resembles jade)