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Californite (a variety of Vesuvianite)

Discovery year unknown; IMA status: Not Valid (a variety of Vesuvianite)

Chemistry

Chemical Formula:

(Ca,Na)₁₉(Al,Mg,Fe)₁₃(SiO₄)₁₀(Si₂O₇)₄(OH,F,O)₁₀

Calcium Aluminum Magnesium Iron Silicate Hydroxide

More Information

Californite is a variety of Vesuvianite.
For more information please see the Vesuvianite information page.
 

Synonyms:

American Jade, California Jade, Vesuvianite Jade

Type Locality:

Happy Camp, Siskiyou County, California

Year Discovered:

Unknown

View mineral photos:

Californite Mineral Photos and Locations

More Information

Mindat.org (Californite)
Mindat.org (Vesuvianite)
Webmineral.com (Vesuvianite)

Californite, also known as California Jade, American Jade or Vesuvianite Jade, is a rare variety of Vesuvianite. It is usually found as bright green, translucent to opaque, massive material suitable for cabochons, rarely as facet grade crystals. The cabochons are very attractive and look very similar to Jade. Faceted gems are usually translucent and silky and may resemble green Prehnite.

Californite comes from several locations in and around Happy Camp, Siskiyou County; at the Pulga deposit, Butte County; and at Sky Blue Hill, Crestmore, Riverside County, California, USA. Californite has also been found outside of California, USA. Similar material has been found at Brem stream, Munilkan river basin, Tas-Khayakhtakh Range, Dogdo River Basin, Polar Yakutia, Sakha Republic (Saha Republic; Yakutia), Eastern-Siberian Region, Russia and along the Road to Bádenas, Loscos, Teruel, Aragón, Spain.

Californite gems for sale: