TERRIUM — A mineralogy cabinet

Vesuvianita

Vesuvianita is a mineral with formula Ca₁₉(Al,Mg,Fe)₁₃(SiO₄)₁₀(Si₂O₇)₄(OH)₁₀, in the Nesosilicatos group. This specimen comes from San Vito, Vesubio, Ercolano, Metropolitan City of Naples, Campania, Italia and joined the Terrium collection in 2025.

Vesuvianita from San Vito, Vesubio, Ercolano, Metropolitan City of Naples, Campania, Italia — Terrium

Description

Well-formed, lustrous amber-brown vesuvianite crystals in a cavity lined with hundreds of thousands of minute grossular garnets. Dark green matrix. Calcite fluoresces orange under UV.

About Vesuvianita

Vesuvianite is a calcium–aluminium silicate with a complex structure. Its crystal lattice contains several sites that can accommodate cations of similar size and charge. An emblematic species of Vesuvius, where it was first discovered and described. Known for its tetragonal prisms and green or brown colours. The specimen comes from one of the most classic areas.

About the locality

TYPE LOCALITY. Vesuvius is the volcano that in AD 79 destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum. Mount Somma constitutes the remnant of the ancient volcanic edifice. Today it forms part of a national park and collecting is not permitted.

Technical data

Catalogue No.
0035
Composition
Ca₁₉(Al,Mg,Fe)₁₃(SiO₄)₁₀(Si₂O₇)₄(OH)₁₀
Name
Vesuvianita
Group
Nesosilicatos
Category
Cavella
Matrix
Matriz metamórfica
Associations
Calcita Cuarzo Mica
Mine
San Vito
District / Municipality
Vesubio, Ercolano
Province
Metropolitan City of Naples
Region
Campania
Country
Italia
Size (cm)
10 x 7.5 x 4
Weight
315.8 g
Acquired
2025
Etymology
Also called "idocrase", it was first known as "dodecahedral hyacinth" and later as "Vesuvius hyacinth". In 1795 Abraham Gottlob Werner formally described it and named it "Vesuvian" (vesuvianite) in reference to its type locality.
Quality
Muy buena
Value trend
Al alza

Related specimens

← Back to Terrium catalogue