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Properties
Chemical Composition: 
Silicate of Lithium and Aluminium where sodium, iron or calcium may replace lithium. LiAl(SiO3)O2
Classification / Type: 
-
Colors / Varieties: 
Emerald green (Cr)
Crystal System / Forms: 
Monoclinic System
Hardness: 
7
Specific Gravity: 
3.18
Cleavage / Fracture: 
Perfect 2 directional prismatic cleavage at right angles / Splintery fracture
Optic Character: 
Anisotropic, D.R.; Biaxial positive
Lustre: 
Vitreous
Refractive Index / Birefringence: 
1.660 - 1.675 / 0.015; Range: 1.655 - 1.671
Pleochroism: 
Strong trichroism: bluish green / green / yellowish green
Dispersion: 
0.017
Magnification: 
Primary fluid inclusions, complex three phase liquid inclusions, needle-like etch tubes, twin planes and cleavage cracks, crystalline inclusions.
U.V. Fluorescence: 
Inert
Spectrum: 
Doublet at 690.5nm & 686nm, broad absorption at 620nm
Cause of Color: 
Chromium
Treatment (Enhancement): 
Heating: Green purple or pink to lighter shades.
Specific Tests & Remarks: 
In different lighting, exhibits reversible darkening and lightening of color.
  • Mined crystals are blue violet or green which changes to purple pink in sunlight.
Synthesis: 
-
Simulants (with key separation tests): 
Emerald (optic figure, R.I., S.G., inclusions), Tourmaline (optic figure, R.I., cleavage), Chrome Diopside (R.I., birefringence, S.G.)
Geological Occurrence: 
Granite pegmatite.
Sources: 
U.S.A. (North Carolina)
Cuts & Uses: 
Facetted cuts, cabochon, beads, carvings, etc. (table facet should be cut at right angles to the c-axis for best color).
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