Description
The mineral vesuvianite, also known as idocrase, is a calcium-magnesium-aluminum silicate with the chemical formula Ca10Mg2Al4(Si2O7)2(SiO4)5(OH)4. It belongs to the sorosilicate family. White, yellow, green, blue, or brown vesuvianite has a vitreous luster, a white streak color, and an indistinct cleavage along the crystal faces [110], [100], and [001]. Its average density is 3.4 and its hardness is 6.5. The crystal system is tetragonal, and the mineral is not radioactive. The name of the mineral vesuvianite is derived from the place where it was first described, the volcano Vesuvius in Italy. Vesuvianite is a common mineral. It occurs in various contact metamorphic rocks. It also forms in veins in areas where the Alpine orogeny has uplifted mountains. The type locality is Monte Somma, Vesuvius, Italy.
