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 Monte Somma, Vesubio, Ercolano, Metropolitan City of Naples, Campania, Italia and joined the Terrium collection in 1992.
Description
Vertical thumbnail of cola-brown vesuvianite with five tetragonal prisms growing in parallel. Very good flat terminations and typical vertical striation. Also sprinkled with minute orange hessonite garnets.
About Vesuvianita
Vesuvianite is a calcium–aluminium silicate with a complex structure. Its crystal lattice includes multiple sites that can accommodate cations of similar size and charge. An emblematic stone of Vesuvius, where it was first discovered and described. Classic material.
About the locality
TYPE LOCALITY. Vesuvius is the volcano that in AD 79 destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum. Monte Somma is the remnant of the ancient volcanic edifice. Today it forms part of a national park and collecting is not permitted.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0340
- Composition
- Ca₁₉(Al,Mg,Fe)₁₃(SiO₄)₁₀(Si₂O₇)₄(OH)₁₀
- Name
- Vesuvianita
- Group
- Nesosilicatos
- Category
- Estélites
- Associations
- Granate Hessonita
- Mine
- Monte Somma
- District / Municipality
- Vesubio, Ercolano
- Province
- Metropolitan City of Naples
- Region
- Campania
- Country
- Italia
- Size (cm)
- 2.5 x 1.7 x 1.5
- Weight
- 7 g
- Acquired
- 1992
- Ex-collection
- Antonio Barahona
- Etymology
- Also known as "idocrase"; it was first called "dodecahedral hyacinth" and later "hyacinth of Vesuvius". In 1795 Abraham Gottlob Werner formally described it and named it "Vesuvian" (vesuvianite) in reference to Vesuvius.
- Quality
- Muy buena
- Value trend
- Al alza
Related specimens
- Andradita (Melanita) — Marruecos
- Aragonito — Italia
- Aragonito (Azul) — Italia
- Barita — Italia
- Barita (Amarilla) — Italia
- Bomba volcánica — Italia
- Bomba volcánica — Italia
- Calcita (Botrioidal Amarilla) — Italia