Scapolite
| Colour | White, Yellow, Purple, Pink, Red, Blue, Brown |
|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 5.5–6 |
| Lustre | Vitreous |
| Streak | White |
| Crystal system | Tetragonal |
| Transparency | Opaque to transparent |
| Cleavage | Good, in 2 directions |
| Fracture | Conchoidal, uneven, brittle |
| Specific gravity | 2.6–2.74 |
What is Scapolite?
The scapolites are a group of rock-forming silicate minerals composed of aluminium, calcium, and sodium silicate with chlorine, carbonate and sulfate. The two endmembers are meionite and marialite. Silvialite (Ca,Na)4Al6Si6O24(SO4,CO3) is also a recognized member of the group.
How to identify Scapolite
- Lustre: Vitreous.
- Hardness: Mohs 5.5–6 — about as hard as a steel knife.
- Streak: White.
- Habit: Tetragonal crystal system.
Scapolite in different forms
Stones often confused with Scapolite
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Scapolite?
Scapolite is Mohs 5.5–6 on the hardness scale.
What colour is Scapolite?
Scapolite is typically white, yellow, purple, pink, red, blue, brown (Pink, red, blue, brown, white, grey, colourless, green, yellow, orange, purple).