Scapolite

A group of silicates forming square prisms in metamorphosed limestones. Some glow bright yellow under UV.

Scapolite specimen — Photo: Géry PARENT, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How to identify scapolite

Square prisms with a slightly greasy luster.
Often fluoresces yellow under longwave UV.
Hardness about 6.

Often confused with

Orthoclase
Feldspar has two good cleavages at right angles and a blocky shape.
Compare side by side
Quartz
Quartz is harder and hexagonal.
Compare side by side

Where it's found

Ontario, Canada
Madagascar
Tanzania
Myanmar

Uses

Collector specimens and occasional gems.

Rock tumbling

Can be tumbled with care.

Did you know?

Its name comes from Greek skapos, 'rod', after its long prismatic crystals.

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