All About Epidote: Physical, Chemical, and Optical Properties
Epidote, a silicate mineral, is a rock-forming mineral with a crystal structure consisting of isolated and paired silica tetrahedra. It is found in rocks like epidosite and unakite, displaying colors of yellowish-green, green, brownish-green, or black. This mineral has a vitreous luster, a hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, and various physical properties like cleavage, fracture, density, and more. Epidote is known for its monoclinic crystal system, prismatic class, and unique optical data. It has minor usage as a gemstone, notably in ornamental objects like beads and cabochons. Locations where epidote can be found are also discussed.
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Presentation Transcript
Epidote Cassidy Yeh
Background/Rock relation Rock forming mineral Silicate mineral Epidote mineral group has a crystal structure that consists of isolated and paired silica tetrahedron Two main rocks: epidosite and unakite High grade metamorphic rock; Amphibolite; Epidote amphibolite Unakite forms from metamorphism of granite Epidosite contains mostly epidote with bits of quartz; forms from basalts in sheeted dikes
Physical Properties Color can be Yellowish-green, green, brownish-green, or black Luster is vitreous The hardness of this mineral is 6 on Mohs hardness scale It is transparent, translucent, and opaque
Physical Properties cont. Streak is colorless Cleavage is Perfect; Perfect on {001}; imperfect on {100} Fracture is uneven/irregular Density is measured at 3.38-3.49 g/cm^3; Calculated is at 3.43 g/cm^3 Luminescence: non-flourescent
Chemical Properties Formula is {Ca2}{Al2Fe3+}(Si2O7)(SiO4)O(OH) Elements in Epidote: Ca, Al, Fe, H, Si Common impurities found in Epidote are Al, Mg, and Mn
Crystallography Crystal system: Monoclinic Class: Prismatic Twinning: on {100}. Morphology: Crystals are prismatic to 35 cm; stubby; rarely tabular or pseudo-octahedral They are fibrous, coarse to finely granular
Optical Data of Epidote Biaxial X is colorless Y is greenish yellow Z is yellowish green 2V: 90 degrees to 116 degrees; 62 to 84 degrees
Epidote usage Minor usage as a gemstone Unakite: beads, ornamental objects; semiprecious stone; cabochons
References Epidote. Epidote: Mineral Information, Data and Localities., www.mindat.org/min-1389.html. Epidote. Geology, geology.com/minerals/epidote.shtml.
