Eudialyte
What is Eudialyte?
Eudialyte is a rare cyclosilicate mineral that is often found in Russia, Canada, and Madagascar. It’s primarily used as a gemstone and is popular for its deep red to pinkish-red color.
Eudialyte is a captivating gemstone that comes in shades of deep red to pinkish-red. Its unique appearance and color make it a popular choice for jewelry and decorative items, especially beads and pendants.
| Chemical Classification | Inorganic - Silicate (Cyclosilicate) |
| Color | Eudialyte is typically deep red to pinkish, often contrasted with black, brown, or yellowish inclusions. |
| Streak | White |
| Luster | Vitreous to greasy. |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent. |
| Occurrence | Russia (especially the Kola Peninsula), Canada, and Greenland. |
| Formation | Eudialyte forms in alkaline igneous rocks, especially nepheline syenites. |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent to translucent |
| Cleavage | None |
| Mohs Hardness | 5 to 5.5. |
| Specific Gravity | 2.74 to 3.10. |
| Diagnostic Properties | Reddish-pink with black. |
| Chemical Composition | Na15Ca6(Fe,Mn)3Zr3SiO(O,OH,H2O)3(Si3O9)2(Si9O27)2(OH,Cl)2 |
| Pleochroism | Weak. |
| Crystal System | Trigonal |
| Optical Properties | Biaxial (-) |
| Refractive Index | 1.590 - 1.603 |
| Birefringence | 0.01 |
| 2V angle | Measured: 58° |
| Dispersion | Not notably high. |