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Violane  (variety of Diopside)
Current inventory:  0 gems
 

Chemistry:  CaMgMnSi₂O₆  [Calcium Magnesium Manganese Silicate]

Discovery: unknown;   IMA status: Not Valid (trade name).
The origin of the name Violane is unknown. It may be an Italian derivation of the violet color of the material found there.

Classification

Mineral Classification:

Silicates

Strunz 8th Ed. ID:

8/F.01-50

Strunz 10th Ed. ID:

9.DA.15

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
A : Inosilicates with 2-periodic single chains, Si₂O₆;
15 : Pyroxene family

Related to:

Pyroxene Group. Clinopyroxene Subgroup. Diopside - Hedenbergite Series. Diopside - Johannsenite Series. Dimorph of Boehmite.

Crystal Data

Crystallography:

Monoclinic - Prismatic

Crystal Habit:

As prismatic crystals with nearly square cross sections, to 50 cm; granular, columnar, lamellar massive.

Twinning:

Simple or multiple twins common.

Physical Properties

Cleavage:

[110] Distinct/Good

Fracture:

Irregular/Uneven to Conchoidal

Tenacity:

Brittle

Hardness (Mohs):

5.5 - 6.5

Density:

3.22 - 3.38 (g/cm³)

Luminescence:

None

Radioactivity:

Not Radioactive

Optical Properties

Color:

Violet to Purple, light Blue

Transparency:

Transparent, Opaque

Luster:

Vitreous, Dull

Refractive Index:

1.664 - 1.695  Biaxial ( + )

Birefringence:

0.024 - 0.031

Dispersion:

Weak to Moderate; r > v

Pleochroism:

None

Occurances

Geological Setting:

Typical of metamorphosed siliceous Ca, Mg-rich rocks of the pyroxene-hornfels or epidote-amphibolite facies; common in skarns, Ca, Mg-rich gneisses and schists, and some kimberlites and peridotites. Less common in alkalic olivine basalts and andesites.

Common Associations:

Calcite, Chondrodite, Clinohumite, Forsterite, Grossular, Monticellite, Quartz, Scapolite, Tremolite, Vesuvianite, Wollastonite

Common Impurities:

Fe, V, Cr, Mn, Zn, Al, Ti, Na, K

Type Locality:

Saint-Marcel, Aosta Valley, Italy

Year Discovered:

Unknown (Diopside: 1800)

View mineral photos:

Violane Mineral Photos and Locations

More Information

Mindat.org  (Violane)
Mindat.org  (Diopside)
Webmineral.com  (Diopside)

Violane is a violet to light blue, manganese-rich variety of Diopside. Violane crystals are extremely small, too small for faceting so Violane gems are only available as cabochons. These cabochons take a high polish and are very attractive.

Diopside is an important rock forming mineral in some metamorphic and igneous rocks and is also found in meteorites. Diopside is a member of the Pyroxene group of minerals that also includes Enstatite, Hypersthene, Jadeite and Spodumene.

Violet to purple colored Violane is found as extremely small crystals and in massive form at Saint-Marcel, Aosta Valley, Italy. Light blue Violane is found only in massive form in the Ural Mountains in Russia.
 

  
Violane gems for sale:

We have not photographed our Violane gems yet.  Please check back soon!