Idocrase or vesuvianite was first found amongst the ancient ejections
of Vesuvius, and it is still found at Vesuvius in hair-brown to
olive-green colors.
Vesuvianite is 6.5 in hardness, 3.35 to 3.45 in specific gravity,
transparent to opaque, lustre vitreous to greasy. It possesses strong
double refraction, is attacked by acids, and melts readily under the
blow-pipe. Vesuvianite consists of:
Silica 37.75
Alumina 17.23
Sesquioxide of iron 4.43
Magnesia 3.79
Lime 37.35
In colors, this mineral shades from brown to black, yellow, pale-blue,
and green, and it is found at Vesuvius, Alps, Piedmont, Mt. Somma,
Etna, Norway, Sweden, Spain, Hungary, Urals, and the United States.
Transparent or strongly translucent specimens, in handsome green or
brown varieties, are used for jewelry, principally, however, in Turin
and Naples.
Chrysolite and green garnet are sometimes substituted for vesuvianite.
The first has a greater specific gravity and is more vivid in color,
and the latter is also heavier and harder.