Judging quality
Strongly fluorescent under longwave UV, often bright yellow or orange. Softer than amethyst, which the violet material superficially resembles.
Silicate
Scapolite
An under-known gem that comes in lilac, honey yellow and pink, sometimes with a strong cat's eye from parallel tube inclusions. Tanzanian violet material is the most sought.
Care
Modest hardness and distinct cleavage; treat as a display or occasional-wear stone.
History & lore
The name comes from the Greek skapos, a rod, for the long prismatic crystals.
Cultural history, recorded as tradition rather than as medical or scientific claim.
Common questions about Scapolite
- What is Scapolite?
- An under-known gem that comes in lilac, honey yellow and pink, sometimes with a strong cat's eye from parallel tube inclusions. Tanzanian violet material is the most sought.
- How hard is Scapolite and what is it made of?
- Scapolite is a Silicate-family mineral with the composition (Na,Ca)4Al3Si9O24(Cl,CO3). It crystallizes in the tetragonal system and rates 5.5-6 on the Mohs hardness scale. It occurs in violet, yellow, pink, colorless.
- Where does Scapolite come from?
- Notable localities for Scapolite include Tanzania, Madagascar, Myanmar, Afghanistan.
- How do you tell good Scapolite from filler?
- Strongly fluorescent under longwave UV, often bright yellow or orange. Softer than amethyst, which the violet material superficially resembles.
- How do you care for Scapolite?
- Modest hardness and distinct cleavage; treat as a display or occasional-wear stone.
See it in person
Photographs only go so far
Both rooms are open six days a week, and there is always someone happy to pull pieces out of the case so you can compare them under the light.