|
|
Andalusite
|
|
Discovered in 1789; IMA status: Valid (pre-IMA; Grandfathered)
|
Chemistry
|
|
|
Chemical
Formula: |
Al2SiO5 |
|
Aluminum
Silicate |
Molecular
Weight: |
162.05 gm
|
Composition: |
Aluminum |
33.30 % |
Al |
62.92 % |
Al2O3 |
|
Silicon |
17.33 % |
Si |
37.08 % |
SiO2 |
|
Oxygen |
49.37 % |
O |
|
|
|
|
100.00 % |
|
100.00 % |
= TOTAL OXIDE |
|
|
Classification
|
|
|
Mineral
Classification: |
Silicates
(Germanates)
|
Strunz 8th
Ed. ID:
|
8/B.02-20
|
Nickel-Strunz 10th
Ed. ID:
|
9.AF.10
|
|
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates F : Nesosilicates with additional anions; cations in [4], [5] and/or only [6] coordination
|
Related
to: |
Andalusite-Kanonaite Series.
Trimorphous with Kyanite and Sillimanite. Isostructural
with Kanonaite.
|
Varieties: |
Chiastolite,
Titanian Andalusite, Viridine
|
Synonyms: |
Andalousite,
Andaluzite, Apyre, Feldspath apyre, Jamesonite (of Leman),
Lohestite
|
|
|
Crystal
Data
|
|
|
Crystallography:
|
Orthorhombic - Dipyramidal
|
Crystal
Habit:
|
As
euhedral crystals or columnar aggregates having nearly
square cross sections, commonly elongated || [001],
to 20 cm. Also fibrous, compact, massive.
|
Twinning:
|
Rare
on
{101}
|
|
|
Physical
Properties
|
|
|
Cleavage: |
Good
on {110}, Poor on {100}
|
Fracture: |
Irregular/Uneven,
Sub-Conchoidal
|
Tenacity:
|
Brittle
|
Moh's
Hardness: |
6.5
- 7.5
|
Density:
|
3.13 - 3.17 (g/cm3)
|
Luminescence:
|
None
|
Radioactivity:
|
Not
Radioactive
|
|
|
Optical
Properties
|
|
|
Color: |
Pink,
Violet, Yellow, Green, White, Gray; Colorless to Pink
or Green in thin section. |
Transparency: |
Transparent
to Translucent |
Luster: |
Vitreous,
Sub-Vitreous, Greasy |
Refractive
Index: |
1.629 - 1.650 Biaxial
( - ) or ( + ) |
Birefringence: |
0.009 - 0.010
|
Dispersion: |
Strong;
r
< v
|
Pleochroism: |
Distinct;
X
= reddish pink, Y = greenish yellow, Z = greenish
yellow
|
|
|
Occurances
|
|
|
Geological
Setting: |
A
result of contact metamorphism of argillaceous sediments,
also in regionally metamorphosed schists. Rare in granites
and pegmatites, which however afford the largest crystals.
Detrital in some sandstones. |
Common
Associations: |
Kyanite,
Sillimanite, Cordierite, Corundum, Garnet, Tourmaline,
Mica
|
Common
Impurities: |
None
|
Type
Locality: |
Ronda Massif, Málaga, Andalusia, Spain
|
Year
Discovered: |
1789
|
View
mineral photos: |
Andalusite
Mineral Photos and Locations |
|
|
More
Information
|
|
|
|
Mindat.org
Webmineral.com
|
|
|
Andalusite
is strongly pleochroic showing colors of olive green
to brick red. Its strong pleochroism is very distinctive and
extremely attractive as a faceted gem. Andalusite trimorphous with Kyanite and Sillimanite.
Trimorphous refers to a mineral that shares the same chemistry
but a different crystal structure with two other minerals. Andalusite has two other interesting varieties.
One is called Chiastolite. It is usually opaque and contains
black carbon inclusions which are arranged
in regular symmetrical shapes, usually in the form of
a cross or X. Chiastolite cut in cross section and polished
makes for very unique and attractive cabochons, beads
or pendants showing a well-formed black cross on a gray
or brown background. The name Chiastolite is from the
Greek chiastos meaning arranged diagonally,
because the pattern of carbon inclusions resembles the
Greek letter Chi, which is written X.
The other variety of Andalusite is Viridine
which is a rich, grass green color due to its manganese
content. Viridine
gets its name from the Latin word viridis for
green. A current source of fine Andalusite crystals
is the Santa
Teresa district, Espirito Santo, Brazil. Chiastolite
and Viridine are also found in Brazil.
Andalusite was named in 1798 by Jean-Claude Delamétherie for the type locality, Andalusia region, Spain.
Andalusite
is widespread. Some localities for good crystals follow.
From Hornachuelos, near Córdoba, Córdoba Province, Spain.
On the Lisens Alp, Selraintal, Tirol, Austria. At Gefrees,
Bodenmais, and elsewhere in Bavaria, Germany. From the
Claggau quarry, County Galway, Ireland. In the USA,
from Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; Leiperville,
Delaware County, Pennsylvania; around Custer, Custer
County, South Dakota; in California, from Fresno, Fresno
County, near Ogilby, Cargo Muchacho Mountains, Imperial
County, and near Daltons Ranch, Madera County. From
Mt. Howden, Bimbowrie, South Australia. At Nawalapitiya,
Sri Lanka. Gem crystals from the Santa Teresa district,
Espírito Santo, Brazil.
|
Andalusite
gems for sale:
We have not photographed our Andalusite
gems yet. Please check back soon!
|
|