Click on a letter above to view the list of gems.  

           


Violane  (variety of Diopside)
Current inventory:  0 gems
 

Violane (variety of Diopside)

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, Si
2O6;
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!
 

 

I love Sarah