Scapolite Rough Stone - Per Kilo

Scapolite from Mt Isa. Although not well known, scapolite would make an attractive gem material for both jewellery enthusiasts and mineral collectors. It comes in a wide variety of colours and can show dramatic fluorescence. Rare specimens also display phenomenal effects, like chatoyancy.

Scapolite has an appearance that is very similar to many feldspars. As a result, it can easily be overlooked in the field and during hand specimen examination in a laboratory.

Massive scapolite is found in regionally metamorphosed rocks such as marble, gneiss, and schist. These massive specimens often exhibit a wood-grain or fibrous texture which facilitates their identification. Well-formed, gem-quality, prismatic crystals with a square cross-section are sometimes found in marbles.

In metamorphosed igneous rocks, especially gabbro and basalt, scapolite often occurs as complete or partial replacements of the feldspar grains. Crystals of scapolite are sometimes found in pegmatites and rocks altered by contact metamorphism.

Scapolite minerals are easily attacked by weathering. They are some of the first minerals attacked in their host rocks and easily alter to micas and clay minerals. As weathering begins, the mineral grains lose their transparency, become opaque, and have a reduced hardness.