Pezzottaite

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Pezzotaite
Chemical composition Cesium Beryllium Lithium Aluminium Silicate Cs(Be2Li)Al2Si6O18
Crystal system Trigonal
Habit subhedral-to-euhedral hexagonal tabular
Cleavage imperfect (basal)
Fracture conchoidal to irregular
Hardness 8
Optic nature uniaxial -
Refractive index 1.601-1.620
Birefringence 0.011
Dispersion unknown
Specific gravity 3.04-3.14
Lustre vitreous
Pleochroism moderate to strong

Pezzottaite is a raspberry-red to pink member of the Beryl Group named after Dr. Federico Pezzotta. Discovered in Madagascar and IMA approved in 2003 as a new mineral.

Although related to Beryl it is not a variety of Beryl, it is a gem quality member of the Beryl Group to which also Beryl belongs.

External links