Euclase
Euclase could be a metal hydrated oxide salt mineral (BeAlSiO4(OH)). It crystallizes within the monoclinic crystal system and is usually huge to fibrous additionally as in slender prismatic crystals. it’s involving mineral (Be3Al2Si6O18) and alternative metal minerals. it’s a product of the decomposition of mineral in pegmatites. Euclase crystals square measure noted for his or her blue color, starting from terribly pale to navy blue. The mineral can also be colorless, white, or light-weight inexperienced. Cleavage is ideal, parallel to the clinopinacoid. The prepared cleavage renders the crystals fragile with an inclination to chip and therefore detracts from its use for private ornament. once cut it resembles sure varieties of mineral and topaz, from that it’s going to be distinguished by its relative density (3.1). Its hardness (7.5) is comparable to mineral (7.5 – 8), and a small amount lower than that of topaz. Euclase is a very gem that is unusual is usually found as colorless or in tones of yellow, it is also rarely available in pale green, violet, pale blue and dark blue. The violet and product that is blue acutely rare. Euclase is hard enough for precious jewelry but might be a bit brittle. The hardness (6.5 – 7.5) may be variable within a crystal that is single. Perfect one direction cleavage makes faceting difficult. Current sources are Brazil, Germany, Mozambique, Russia and Zimbabwe.
| Category: | Nesosilicate |
| Formula: |
BeAlSiO4(OH) |
| beryllium aluminium hydroxide silicate | |
| Crystallography: | Monoclinic – Prismatic |
| Crystal Habit: | As prismatic crystals commonly morphologically complex, to 12 cm. |
| Cleavage: | [010] Perfect, [110] and [001] Imperfect |
| Fracture: | Conchoidal |
| Tenacity: | Brittle |
| Moh’s Hardness: | 7.5 |
| Density: | 2.99 – 3.1 (g/cm3) |
| Radioactivity: | Not Radioactive |
| Color: | Blue, Colorless, White, Light blue, Light green, Light Yellow. |
| Transparency: | Transparent to Translucent |
| Luster: | Vitreous (glassy) |
| Refractive Index: | 1.652 – 1.671 Biaxial ( + ) |
| Birefringence: | 0.019 – 0.025 |
| Dispersion: | Strong |
| Pleochroism: | Colorless |
