Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : Bellecombe, Aosta valley, Italy
SIZE : 8.4 x 5.4 x 3.5 cm

This sample is a group of vesuvianite crystals. Crystals are prismatic, rather short and terminated. They are transparent and has a great green yellow color.

This vesuvianite comes from Bellecombe in Aosta valley in Italia. It has been acquired thanks to support from Total.

This sample is currently exposed in the Treasure Room, within the Gallery of Mineralogy of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle.

Photography: A. Dahmane / Photo Saint-Hilaire, © MNHN.

SPECIE : Vesuvianite

HISTORY : Named after its type-locality: the Vesuvio volcano near Naples, Italy

Species described in 1795 by Abraham Gottlob Werner (1749-1817), German geologist from the Bergwerk Akademie in Freiberg, Germany

Type-locality: Vesuvio, Naples, Italy
ANCIENT NAME : Idocrase

CHEMICAL FORMULA : Ca10 (Mg,Fe)2 Al4 Si9O34 (OH)4
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Tetragonal
COLOR : Yellow, greenish black; often zoned
DIAPHANIETY : Transparent to translucent
LUSTER : Vitreous to resineous
STREAK : White
MORPHOLOGY : Pyramidal crystals, prismatic, elongated crystals
HARDNESS : 6,0-7,0
DENSITY : 3,42

CHEMICAL CLASS : VIII - Silicates
GROUP : Vesuvianite
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 8/C.26-10
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 9.BG.25

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Vesuvianite

Vesuvianite

MNHN N°200.26

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