Mineral description : Manganoan vesuvianite (variety of vesuvianite)

Orange manganoan vesuvian crystals in calcite, surrounded by tephroite. From Harstigen.

Mineral class Silicates : Sorosilicates : Epidote - Vesuvianite group

Chemical formula Ca₁₀Mg₂Al₄(SiO₄)₅(Si₂O₇)₂(OH)₄

Crystal system Tetragonal.

Habitus Short striated prismatic crystals with a square cross section. Terminated by a foursided pyramide, often truncated by a pinacoide surface dominating the pyramide. Also common as massive aggregates.

Cleavage Indistinct along the crystal, fracture uneven to conchoidal.

Hardness 6.5

Density 3.27-3.45

Color Orange to blood red. Translucent to transparent.

Streak White

Luster Vitreous.

Description

Occurance In mangan rich metamorphic limestones.

Associates Tephroite, Calcite

Notes Partly soluble in hydrochloric acid.
Not considered an unique mineral, only a variety of vesuvianite.

Localities A mineral with a few localities in Sweden.

Långban, Värmland. As blood red fillings in fissures or as small mm sized crystals in hausmannite impregnated teproite.
Harstigen, Persberg, Värmland. As orange crystals and massive in calcite filled cavities in tephroite.

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Last changed : 2000-06-10

Mineral class	Silicates : Sorosilicates : Epidote - Vesuvianite group
Chemical formula	Ca₁₀Mg₂Al₄(SiO₄)₅(Si₂O₇)₂(OH)₄
Crystal system	Tetragonal.
Habitus	Short striated prismatic crystals with a square cross section. Terminated by a foursided pyramide, often truncated by a pinacoide surface dominating the pyramide. Also common as massive aggregates.
Cleavage	Indistinct along the crystal, fracture uneven to conchoidal.
Hardness	6.5
Density	3.27-3.45
Color	Orange to blood red. Translucent to transparent.
Streak	White
Luster	Vitreous.
Description
Occurance	In mangan rich metamorphic limestones.
Associates	Tephroite, Calcite
Notes	Partly soluble in hydrochloric acid. Not considered an unique mineral, only a variety of vesuvianite.
Localities	A mineral with a few localities in Sweden. Långban, Värmland. As blood red fillings in fissures or as small mm sized crystals in hausmannite impregnated teproite. Harstigen, Persberg, Värmland. As orange crystals and massive in calcite filled cavities in tephroite.