AllMineralsRock
Chrysoprase Vs. Vesuvianite
Chrysoprase is a gemstone composed of silicon dioxide.[1] Vesuvianite is a popular mineral and its chemical composition is calcium magnesium aluminum silicate.[2]
Quick Facts on Differences of Chrysoprase and Vesuvianite
For a quick recap of the differences chrysoprase and vesuvianite:- In terms of crystallography, chrysoprase can be hexagonal or trigonal while vesuvianite is tetragonal.
- For chemical formulas, chrysoprase is SiO2 while vesuvianite is Ca10Mg2Al4(SiO4)5(Si2O7)2(OH)4.
- While both chrysoprase and vesuvianite can be vitreous, in terms of luster, chrysoprase can be greasy or waxy and vesuvianite can be resinous.
- While both chrysoprase and vesuvianite can be commonly green, chrysoprase is often olive and vesuvianite is often black or pink.
Quick Facts on Similarities of Chrysoprase and Vesuvianite
The similarities of chrysoprase and vesuvianite include:- Chrysoprase and vesuvianite both can be opaque, translucent or transparent.
- Chrysoprase and vesuvianite both streak white.
- Chrysoprase's rarity is similar to vesuvianite.
- Chrysoprase's hardness overlaps with vesuvianite - chrysoprase ranges from 6.5 to 7 and vesuvianite is 6.5 on the Moh's scale.
Summary of Chrysoprase
Chrysoprase is a green-colored gemstone that belongs to the chalcedony family. It is a cryptocrystalline mineral that is formed from silica-rich solutions in cavities or fissures of rocks. The green color of chrysoprase is due to the presence of nickel impurities. The intensity of the green color depends on the amount of nickel present in the mineral. Chrysoprase has a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, which makes it a durable gemstone that can be used in jewelry.Summary of Vesuvianite
Vesuvianite is a mineral that is also known as idocrase. It is a silicate mineral that is typically green, yellow, brown, or blue. Vesuvianite is commonly found in metamorphic rocks such as skarns, marble, and quartzite. It is often associated with other minerals such as garnet, diopside, and wollastonite.Table Comparison of Chrysoprase vs Vesuvianite
| Chrysoprase (src) | Vesuvianite (src) | |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency | transparent, translucent, opaque | transparent, translucent, opaque |
| Chemical Formula | SiO2 | Ca10Mg2Al4(SiO4)5(Si2O7)2(OH)4 |
| Chemical Composition | silicon dioxide | calcium magnesium aluminum silicate |
| Hardness | 6.5, 7 | 6.5 |
| Streak | white | white |
| Crystallography | hexagonal, trigonal | tetragonal |
| Hydrous | No | No |
| Colors | common: green, olive |
common: green, pink, black sometimes: red, blue, brown, white, purple less common: orange, violet, yellow, colorless, multicolor |
| Category | chalcedony | sorosilicate |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.004-0.009 | δ = 0.004–0.006 |
| Fracture | conchoidal | conchoidal, uneven |