Definition

Noun: * A green, yellow, or brown mineral consisting of a hydrated silicate of calcium, magnesium, and aluminum. It occurs as tetragonal crystals, often in metamorphosed limestone, and can be cut and polished for use as a gemstone.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The geologist identified the green crystals in the marble as vesuvianite.
  • Vesuvianite, also known as idocrase, is sometimes faceted for collectors.
  • A specimen of vesuvianite from Mount Vesuvius was displayed in the museum.

Advanced Usage

• As a collector's item: Vesuvianite is prized by mineral collectors for its well-formed crystals and range of colors.
  • His collection features an exceptional prismatic vesuvianite crystal.
• In geological context: The presence of vesuvianite is an indicator of specific metamorphic conditions.
  • The formation of vesuvianite in the skarn deposit signaled the metasomatic alteration of the limestone.

Variants and Related Words

• Idocrase (n): An alternative name for vesuvianite, from the Greek words for "form" and "mixture," referring to its crystal forms appearing to be a mixture of other minerals.
• Calcium-aluminum silicate (n): A descriptive chemical term related to the composition of vesuvianite.

Synonyms

• Idocrase (n): The other primary name for the same mineral species.

Noun

1. a green or yellow or brown mineral consisting of a hydrated silicate; it occurs as crystals in limestone and is used a gemstone