Metamorphic Minerals

• Actinolite
• Alurgite
• Andalusite
• Andalusite (chiastolite)
• Antigorite
• Anthophyllite-Gedrite
• Biotite
• Brucite
• Calcite
• Cassiterite
• Charoite
• Chlorite
• Chloritoid
• Chrysocolla
• Cordierite
• Corundum
• Corundum (ruby)
• Kyanite
• Kornerupine
• Kyanite (reticite)
• Deerite
• Dumortierite
• Epidotes
Allanite
Pistacite
Piemontite
Zoisite

• Fassaite
• Fluorite
• Glaucophane
• Garnet
• Hercynite
• Hedenbergite
• Hydrogrossular
• Howieite
• Humites
• Jadeite
• Lawsonite
• Lazulite
• Lazurite
• Malachite
• Minnesotaite
• Muscovite
• Olivine
• Omphacite
• Omphacite Cr
• Pargasite
• Piemontite (Praborna)
• Pyrite
• Prehnite
• Pumpellyite
• Quartz
• Rhodonite
• Rutile
• Sapphirine
• Scapolite
• Serpentine
• Sillimanite
• Sillimanite (fibrolite)
• Staurolite
• Stilpnomelane
• Sugilite
• Talc
• Taramellite
• Thulite
• Tinaksite
• Tinzenite
• Titanite
• Tremolite
• Tourmaline
• Vesuvianite
• Violan
• Wollastonite
• Yoderite
• Zussmanite

Texture and Microstructure

• Augen
• Book shelf sliding
• Boudinage
• Corona
• Decussate
• Deformation lamellae
• Deformation twins
• Crenulation cleavage
• Fringes
• Granoblastic
• Kelyphite
• Kink Bands
• Lepidoblastic
• Mesh
• Mica fish
• Mylonitic
• Nematoblastic
• Oblique foliations
• Polygonal
• Porphyroblastic
• Porphyroclastic
• Pseudomorph
• Ribbon
• S-C fabric
• Skeletal garnet
• Symplectite
• Veins

Metamorphic Rocks

• Albite greenshist
• Amphibolite (felsic)
• Amphibolite (mafic)
• Amphibolite (mylonitic)
• Amphibolite with epidote
• Andalusite schist
• Anyolite
• Augen gneiss
• Blueschist
• Blueschist (Ile de Groix)
• Blueschist (retrograde)
• Buchite
• Calc-schists
• Carbonated peridotite
• Cataclasite
• Charoitite
• Chlorite schist
• Chloritoid Schist (Ile de Groix)
• Cordierite slate
• Corundum-fuchsite rock
• Deformed oolite
• Dunite (mylonitic)
• Eclogite
• Eclogite Porto Ottiolu
• Epidosite
• Gabbro (mylonitic)
• Garnet micaschist
• Glaucophane granofels
• Granite (mylonitic)
• Granulite (felsic)
• Granulite (mafic)
• Granulite (retrograde)
• Granulite (sapphirine-bearing)
• Greenschist
• Hornfels
• Hornfels (albite-epidote)
• Hornfels (cordierite, plagioclase)
• Hornfels (corundum, plagioclase)
• Hornfels (hydrogarnet)
• Jadeite metagranite
• Jadeitite
• Kinzigite
• Lapis lazuli
• Marble
• Marble (calc-silicate)
• Marble (diopside)
• Marble (forsterite)
• Marble (mylonitic)
• Marble (tremolite)
• Mylonite
• Ocean jasper
• Ophicalcite
• Peridotite (mylonitic)
• Phyllite
• Prasinite
• Pseudotachylyte
• Pseudotachylyte (Ivrea-Verbano)
• Quartzite
• Quartzite (tourmaline)
• Rhyolite (mylonitic)
• Rodingite
• Schist
• Seafloor basalt
• Serpentinite
• Serpentinized lherzolite
• Skarn
• Skiddaw Metamorphic Aureole
Skiddaw
1) Spotted slate
2) Andalusite slate
3) Cordierite slate

• Slate
• Slate (ottrelite)
• Talc schist
• Tourmalinite
• Ultramylonite (granitic)
• Ultramylonite (mafic)

Vesuvianite or idocrase - Ca₁₉(Al,Fe)₁₀(Mg,Fe)₃[Si₂O₇]₄[SiO₄]₁₀(O,OH,F)₁₀

Originally named "hyacinthus dictus octodecahedricus" by Moritz Anton Kappeler in 1723. Renamed "hyacinte du Vesuve" by Jean-Baptiste Louis Romé de L'Isle in 1772. This was possibly the inspiration for Abraham Gottlob Werner to rename the species "vesuvian" in 1795, after its discovery locality, Mount Vesuvius, Campania, Italy.

The crystal structure of vesuvianite closely resembles that of garnet. It contains both indipendent silicate tetrahedra (SiO₄), like garnet, ad sorosilicate units of two tetrahedra (Si₂O₇). These are united by Al³⁺ ions in one site of sixfold (octahedral) coordination, Mg²⁺ or Fe²⁺ ions in a second octahedral site, and Ca²⁺ ions in site of eightfold coordination. The composition of vesuvianite is highly variable; Ca may be partially replaced by Na⁺ or K⁺, (Mg²³⁺, Fe²⁺) by Mn²⁺ or Zn²⁺, and Al³⁺ by Fe³⁺ or Ti⁴⁺. Be-rich variety (viluite) and Cu-rich variety (cyprine) are known.

Vesuvianite is a common mineral in skarns formed during contact or regional metamorphism of limestones; in garnetized gabbros, mafic and ultramafic rocks, and serpentinites.

Optical Properties:

• Form: Commonly forms euhedral tetragonal crystals.
• Color: Colorless or greenn and pale brown, with very weak pleochroism.
• Relief: High.
• Birefringence: No more than I order gray with anomalous deep indigo blue or dull olive-yellow.

Aggregate of gray prismatic vesuvianite crystals associated with calcite. Lupikko Mine, Russia. From RRUFF.

Aggregate of gray prismatic vesuvianite crystals associated with calcite. Lupikko Mine, Russia. From RRUFF.

Bibliography

• Bucher, K., & Grapes, R. (2011). Petrogenesis of metamorphic rocks. Springer Science & Business Media.
• Fossen, H. (2016). Structural geology. Cambridge University Press.
• Howie, R. A., Zussman, J., & Deer, W. (1992). An introduction to the rock-forming minerals (p. 696). Longman.
• Passchier, Cees W., Trouw, Rudolph A. J: Microtectonics (2005).
• Philpotts, A., & Ague, J. (2009). Principles of igneous and metamorphic petrology. Cambridge University Press.
• Shelley, D. (1993). Igneous and metamorphic rocks under the microscope: classification, textures, microstructures and mineral preferred-orientations.
• Vernon, R. H. & Clarke, G. L. (2008): Principles of Metamorphic Petrology. Cambridge University Press.
• Vernon, R. H. (2018). A practical guide to rock microstructure. Cambridge university press.

Photo

Vesuvianite (the green-gray crystals) covered by pyroxene. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)	Vesuvianite (the green-gray crystals) covered by pyroxene. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)	Vesuvianite (the green-gray crystals) covered by pyroxene. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)
Vesuvianite (the green-gray crystals) covered by pyroxene. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)	Vesuvianite, the Indigo (blue) crystal and pyroxene. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)	Vesuvianite, the Indigo (blue) crystal and pyroxene. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)
Vesuvianite, with interference coloros from gray to Indigo (blue), and pyroxene. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)	Vesuvianite, with interference coloros from gray to Indigo (blue), and pyroxene. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)	Vesuvianite, the Indigo (blue) crystal and pyroxene. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)
Vesuvianite, the Indigo (blue) crystal, and pyroxene. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)	Vesuvianite, the green-gray crystal, and pyroxene. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)	Vesuvianite, with interference coloros from gray to Indigo (blue), and pyroxene. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)
Vesuvianite, the colorless crystal and pale brown pyroxene. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). PPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)	Zoned Vesuvianite, the green-gray crystal, and pyroxene. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)	Vesuvianite, the colorless crystal and fibrous pale brown pyroxene. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). PPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)
Vesuvianite, the green-gray crystal, and fibrous pale brown pyroxene. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)	Vesuvianite, the colorless crystal and pale pink Garnet. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). PPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)	Vesuvianite, the colorless crystal and Garnet (Isotropic). Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). PPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)
Zoned Vesuvianite, the green-gray crystal, and pyroxene. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)	Zoned Vesuvianite, the green-gray crystal, and pyroxene. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)	Zoned Vesuvianite, the green-gray crystal, and pyroxene. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)
Vesuvianite, the green-gray crystals, and muscovite. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)	Vesuvianite, the green-gray crystals, and muscovite. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)	Vesuvianite, the green-gray crystals, and muscovite. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)
Vesuvianite, the colorless crystal, and muscovite. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). PPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)	Vesuvianite, the green-gray crystals, and muscovite. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)	Vesuvianite, the green-gray crystals, and calcite. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)
Vesuvianite, the Indigo (blue) crystals and pyroxene. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)	Vesuvianite, the Indigo (blue) crystals, calcite and pyroxene. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)	Vesuvianite, the gray and Indigo (blue) crystals and pyroxene. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)
Vesuvianite (the green-gray crystals) covered by pyroxene. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)	Vesuvianite (the green-gray crystals) covered by pyroxene. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)	Vesuvianite (the green-gray crystals) covered by pyroxene. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)
Vesuvianite (the green-gray crystals) and calcite crystals. Gavorrano (Italy). XPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)	Vesuvianite (the green-gray crystals) and calcite crystals. Gavorrano (Italy). XPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)	Vesuvianite (the green-gray crystals), Garnet (Isotropic) and calcite crystals. Gavorrano (Italy). XPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)
Vesuvianite (colorless) and calcite crystals. Gavorrano (Italy). PPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)	Vesuvianite (the green-gray crystals) and calcite crystals. Gavorrano (Italy). XPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)	Vesuvianite (the green-gray crystals), Garnet (Isotropic) and calcite crystals. Gavorrano (Italy). XPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)
Vesuvianite (Green-gray crystals) and pyroxene. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)	Vesuvianite (Green-gray crystals) and pyroxene. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)	Vesuvianite (Green-gray crystals) and pyroxene. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)
Vesuvianite and garnet. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). PPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)	Vesuvianite (Green-gray crystals) and pyroxene. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)	Vesuvianite and garnet. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). PPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)
Vesuvianite (Colorless) and phlogopite. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). PPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)	Vesuvianite (Colorless) and phlogopite. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). PPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)	Vesuvianite (Green-gray crystals) and phlogopite. Metamorphic xenolith From Vesuvius (Italy). XPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)
Fractured vesuvianite (gray) crystals with carbonate inclusions in a skarn. XPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)	Fractured vesuvianite (colorless, high relief) crystals with carbonate inclusions in a skarn. PPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)	Fractured vesuvianite (gray) crystals with carbonate inclusions in a skarn. XPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)
Fractured vesuvianite (colorless, high relief) crystals with epidote inclusions in a skarn. PPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)	Fractured vesuvianite (gray) crystals with epidote inclusions in a skarn. XPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)	Fractured vesuvianite (gray) crystals with epidote inclusions in a skarn. XPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)
Acicular vesuvianite (colorless, high relief) crystals in a skarn. PPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)	Acicular vesuvianite (gray) crystals in a skarn. XPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)	Acicular vesuvianite (colorless, high relief) crystals in a skarn. PPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)
Acicular vesuvianite (gray) crystals in a skarn. XPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)	Acicular vesuvianite (gray) crystals in a skarn. XPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)	Fractured vesuvianite (gray) crystals with epidote inclusions in a skarn. XPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)
Fractured vesuvianite (gray) crystals with epidote inclusions in a skarn. XPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)	Fractured vesuvianite (colorless, high relief) crystals with epidote inclusions in a skarn. PPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)	Fractured vesuvianite (gray) crystals with epidote inclusions in a skarn. XPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)
Fractured vesuvianite (colorless, high relief) crystals with epidote and carbonate inclusions in a skarn. PPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)	Fractured vesuvianite (gray) crystals with epidote and carbonate inclusions in a skarn. XPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)	Acicular vesuvianite (gray) crystals in a skarn. XPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)
Fractured vesuvianite (colorless, high relief) crystal with epidote and quartz inclusions in a skarn. PPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)	Fractured vesuvianite (gray) crystal with epidote and quartz inclusions in a skarn. XPL image, 2x (Field of view = 7mm)	Vesuvianite (colorless, high relief) crystals and quartz crystals in a skarn. PPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)
Vesuvianite (gray) crystals and quartz crystals in a skarn. XPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)	Vesuvianite (colorless, high relief) crystals and quartz crystals in a skarn. PPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)	Vesuvianite (gray) crystals and quartz crystals in a skarn. XPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)
Fractured vesuvianite (gray) crystal with pyroxene and quartz inclusions in a skarn. XPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)	Fractured vesuvianite (gray) crystal with pyroxene and quartz inclusions in a skarn. XPL image, 10x (Field of view = 2mm)