Pezzottaite Gemstone & Information | Gemopedia by JTV | Gemopedia™

Displaying gorgeous deep raspberry pinks, pezzottaite is a relatively new gemstone that has been subject to much confusion due to its similarities with red beryl. Pezzottaite has a variety of trade names including Madagascan raspberyl, raspberyl and raspberry beryl. While pezzottaite is a member of the beryl group, due to its crystal structure and its cesium and lithium contents, it is a separate mineral species from beryl, making its trade names misleading.
Colors
Purplish Pink
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Pezzottaite classification
CommonNamePezzottaiteSpeciesPezzottaiteVarietyColorsPurplish PinkAlternateNamesMalagasiteGemstoneGroupsKeySeparationsrefractive index, birefringence, optic character and spectrum. Might show strain under the polariscope.ClassificationCommentsPezzottaite is not actually a beryl variety, but so closely related that it is sometimes associated with the beryl species. Originally, it was thought of as a cesium-rich form of beryl, but now is generally considered a separate species. Misnomers: hot pink red beryl, raspberyl or red beryl. Often seen as cat's-eye. -
Pezzottaite chemistry & crystallography
ChemicalNamecaesium, beryllium, lithium and aluminum silicateChemicalFormulaCs(Be2Li)Al2(SiO3)6SynthesisCrystalSystemTrigonalChemistryClassificationSilicateNatureNaturalCrystallinityCrystallineChemistryComments -
Pezzottaite optical properties
TransparencyTransparent - TranslucentDispersionOpticalCommentsRefractiveIndex1.608-1.617
Tolerance:0.01Birefringence0.008-0.009OpticCharacterUniaxialOpticSignNegativePolariscopeReactionDoubly Refractive (DR)FluorescenceSWUV: Inert
LWUV: InertCCFReactionweak orangy pinkPleochroismDichroic, moderate pinkish orange and purplish pink to pinkish purple -
Pezzottaite characteristic physical properties
Hardness8CharacteristicCommentsStreakSpecificGravity3.04-3.14 Range:0.4/-0.6 Typical:3.1ToughnessFairInclusionsPezzottaite is a Type III clarity stone. The stones frequently have liquid inclusions, fingerprints, growth tubes. If the stone has numerous growth tubes it can be chatoyant.LusterVitreousStabilityFairFractureConchoidalCleavageGood, in one direction