description Idocrase Overview
Idocrase is the traditional name for vesuvianite, a calcium aluminum silicate mineral that commonly forms in skarn and other rocks altered by contact with igneous bodies. It occurs in colors including green, brown, yellow, and blue, and crystals generally have a tetragonal form. Abraham Gottlob Werner recognized and named vesuvianite in 1795 after material from Mount Vesuvius; transparent or well-formed specimens are used as collector minerals and, sometimes, gemstones.
help Idocrase FAQ
What is idocrase?
Idocrase is the traditional name for vesuvianite, a calcium aluminum silicate mineral. It commonly forms in skarn and other rocks altered by contact with igneous bodies.
What colors can idocrase be?
Idocrase occurs in green, brown, yellow, and blue varieties. Its color depends on the mineral's chemical composition and the conditions under which it formed.
What crystal system does idocrase have?
Vesuvianite crystals generally have a tetragonal form. This is one of the mineral's identifying crystallographic features.
Is idocrase the same mineral as vesuvianite?
Yes. Idocrase is the traditional mineral name for vesuvianite, so the two names refer to the same mineral species.
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