Scapolite: The mineral scapolite information and pictures

About

Scapolite is a mineral series consisting of two very similar minerals: sodium-rich Marialite and calcium-rich Meionite. The two Scapolites also differ in that Meionite has a carbonate radical in place of chlorine that is present in Marialite. The two Scapolite minerals are often visibly indistinguishable from each other, and they also form unclassified intermediary examples within their series. Scapolite is the accepted term that encompasses both minerals, and further classification into Marialite or Meionite is often not done unless the species determination is absolute.

Scapolite forms as an alteration mineral of the feldspars. It can form in two entirely different and unrelated habits, as large and stocky white, opaque crystals, and as prismatic, completely transparent gemmy crystals in elongated form.

For additional information, see the gemstone section on Scapolite.

Crystal Forms & Aggregates

Crystals are often short and stout with a slightly angled or pyramidal termination, or long and prismatic. Crystals can be very large and fat, and are often intergrown in groups of such crystals or are columnar. Also grainy, massive, and crudely as formed crystal masses. Prismatic crystals are often striated.

Other ID Marks

Often fluorescent, sometimes brightly. Colors include white, yellow, and pink. Fluorescence may be present both in shortwave and longwave.

Striking Features

Crystal habit, environment, and fluorescence.

Environment

Chiefly in metamorphic rocks, such as metamorphosed limestones, skarns, gneisses, and hornfels. Also in granite pegmatites and volcanic rocks such as basalt.

Varieties

✓ common · ✗ uncommon

Wernerite— A variety or synonym of Scapolite. This term is often used to describe a strongly fluorescent form of Scapolite, especially the greenish-gray to material described from Quebec, Canada. The term Wernertite may also be used to describe an intermediary member between Marialite and Meionite.
Nuttalite— Variety of Scapolite with a gray color (and possibly a tint of purple or blue) with slight chatoyancy.
Petschite— Trade name for purple Scapolite from Tanzania.

Uses

The gemmy clear crystals of Scapolite are important collector minerals, especially when they exhibit a good size and color. These transparent forms are also cut as rare collectors gemstones.

Noteworthy Localities

Although Scapolite is fairly common mineral, several localities stand out for producing excellent specimens of gemmy, transparent examples of this mineral. Beautiful purple crystals come from Afghanistan at Badakhshan Province; and at Dara-i-Pech, Konar Province. Light purple Scapolite comes from Muzeinaya, Kukh-i-Lal, Tajikistan; and pale yellow crystals from Karur, Tamil Nadu, India.
Colorless and yellow Scapolite is found in the marble region of Mogok, Burma (Myanmar), and transparent yellows crystals come from Tanzania in the Merelani Hills, Arusha; and in Morogoro, Uruguru. Transparent, light yellow crystals come from Antananarivo and Tuléar Provinces, Madagascar; and colorless, elongated crystals from Linópolis, Doce valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

In the U.S., fairly large white Scapolite crystals have come from Franklin, Sussex Co., New Jersey; Amity and Twin Lakes in Woodbury, Orange Co., New York; and Pierrepont and Rossie, St. Lawrence Co., New York. In Canada, excellent crystals come from the Bancroft area, Ontario; and from Diamond Lake, Herschel Township, Ontario. Good Scapolite was found in Gooderham, Haliburton Co., Ontario; and a strongly fluorescent Scapolite with a bright yellow fluorescence, comes from Grenville-sur-la-Rouge, Québec, associated with blue-fluorescing Diopside.

Common Mineral Associations

Diopside, Biotite, Phlogopite, Titanite, Hornblende, Actinolite, Almandine, Microcline, Muscovite

Distinguishing Similar Minerals

Feldspars - Often form in different crystal habits, lacks fluorescence.
Nepheline - Different cleavage, lacks fluorescence.

Scapolite

About

Crystal Forms & Aggregates

Other ID Marks

Striking Features

Environment

Varieties

Uses

Noteworthy Localities

Common Mineral Associations

Distinguishing Similar Minerals

Photos

Crystal forms

Scapolite

Abouti

Crystal Forms & Aggregatesi

Other ID Marksi

Striking Featuresi

Environmenti

Varietiesi

Usesi

Noteworthy Localitiesi

Common Mineral Associationsi

Distinguishing Similar Mineralsi

Photos

Crystal forms

About

Crystal Forms & Aggregates

Other ID Marks

Striking Features

Environment

Varieties

Uses

Noteworthy Localities

Common Mineral Associations

Distinguishing Similar Minerals