By Chisom Ibemere
Scapolites gemstones are groups of rock-forming silicate minerals which are made up of aluminium, calcium, and sodium silicate with chlorine, carbonate and sulfate. The end members of a solid solution series include Meionite and Marialie. Silvialite is a similar mineral to Meionite. They all have similar compositions, crystal structures, and physical properties and cannot be easily distinguished from one another.
They are found in minute quantities in metamorphic and igneous rocks. Scapolite has similar appearance to many feldspars. Large quantities of scapolite is found in regionally metamorphosed rocks such as marble, gneiss, and schist. They often show a wood-grain or fibrous texture which improves their identification. Gem-quality, well formed prismatic crystals of Scapolite with a square cross-section sometimes occur in marbles.
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Gem quality scapolite was first found in Myanmar in 1913. The word scapolite is gotten from the combination of the Greek words scapos and lithos which means rod and stone respectively.
Crystals of scapolite may also be found in rocks that have gone through metamorphism and pegmatites. Minerals of Scapolite are easily weathered which makes them loose their transparency, become Opaque and have a reduced hardness.
Scapolite has varieties of colours such as grey, yellow, orange, pink, purple and may be colourless. It has white streak with a vitreous lustre and a good cleavage. It has a mohs hardness of 5 to 6, specific gravity of 2.5 to 2.7 and a tetragonal crystal system.
Scapolite is not used in the industry as they are seen in small quantities which cannot be mined and doesn’t have the compositions and qualities suitable for industrial purposes. The major use of scapolite is as a minor gemstone, it can be cut to a very interesting and beautiful gemstone.
