Characteristics of Scapolite:

Chemical Name: Sodium, calcium silicate chloride or sulphate

Formula: (Na,Ca)4[Al3Si9O24]Cl- Ca4(Al2Si2O8)3(CO3,SO4)

Colors: Colorless, white, grey, yellow, orange, pink

Structure: Tetragonal

Hardness: 5-6

Specific Gravity: 2.5 - 2.7

Refractive Index: 1.54-1.58

Lustre: Vitreous

Streak: White

Locations: Myanmar, Canada, USA, Tanzania

What is Scapolite? 

Originally believed to be a single mineral, Scapolite is the name now given to a group of minerals related by structure, and it is still used in the gemstone trade to refer to any members of the Scapolite mineral group cut as gemstones. It is distinctly pleochroic and stones vary in color when viewed from different angles – violet stones appear dark or light blue, and violet and yellow stones appear pale yellow and colorless. Some Scapolite cut en cabochon show signs of chatoyancy, a streak of light in the form of a cat’s eye.