meionite
meionite crystal from Madagascar
pink marialite crystals from Mogok in Burma
Detailed sheet
meionite
Discovered in 1801 by René Just Haüy, its name comes from the Greek in the sense that it would be “less than” … its pyramidal crystals would be less steep than those of vesuvianite. It is found in metamorphic rocks.
The group of scapolites forms a series: the calcium carbonate pole is the meionite, the other sodium pole contains chlorine and it is the marialite.
The wernerite is an intermediate between these two poles.
The meionite density, refractive indices, and birefringence are the highest of the series.
CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Ca4[Al6SiO24](CO3)
complex calcium silicate
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Main color
yellow
Other colors
white, colourless
Color of streak
white
Luster
pearly, resinous, vitreous
Hardness
5.5 to 6.0
Density
2.75 to 0.00
Cleavage
good
Fracture
conchoidal, splintery
pearly on the cleavage
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
Transparency
transparent
Refractive index
1.550 - 1.600
Double refraction
0.024
definite, the most amongst scapolites, uniaxial negative
visible double refraction
Yes
Dispersion
0.016
Pleochroism
absent
Number of colors
1
Fluorescence
none
CRYSTALS PROPERTIES
dipyramids or elongated crystals and fibrous
crystals system
tetragonal
OTHER INFORMATIONS
APPROACHING GEMS
Exploited
sites
It is found in Brazil (Rio Grande do Norte), in Mogok in Burma, Madagascar, Japan, Italy, near Vesuvius, in the Ticino in Switzerland …
use in jewelry
it is faceted for a nice effect
Daily care
and precautions
fragile due to its medium hardness
Other
Gems
Venez visitez
notre site web
voillot-joaillier.fr
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