Rhodolite
| Rhodolite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Pyrope variety, nesosilicate |
| Formula | (Mg,Fe)3Al2(SiO4)3 |
| Crystal system | Cubic |
| Identification | |
| Color | light to dark purplish red through reddish purple |
| Cleavage | none, may show indistinct parting |
| Fracture | conchoidal |
| Mohs scale hardness | 7.0–7.5 |
| Luster | greasy to vitreous |
| Specific gravity | 3.84±0.10 |
| Polish luster | vitreous |
| Optical properties | Single refractive, often anomalous double refractive |
| Refractive index | 1.760+0.010 −0.020 |
| Birefringence | none |
| Pleochroism | none |
| Dispersion | 0.026 |
| Ultraviolet fluorescence | inert |
| Absorption spectra | usually at 504, 520, and 573 nm, may also have faint lines at 423, 460, 610, and 680–690 nm |
| References | |
Rhodolite is a varietal name for rose-pink to red mineral pyrope, a species in the garnet group. It was first described from Cowee Valley, Macon County, North Carolina. The name is derived from the Greek "rhodon" for "rose-like", in common with other pink mineral types (such as rhodochrosite, rhodonite). This coloration, and the commonly inclusion-free nature of garnet from this locality, has led to rhodolite being used as a gemstone. Rhodolite like other varietal names is not officially recognized as a mineralogical term, but rather used as an accepted trade name.