Color: Yellow, purple, pink, colorless, greenish. Some purple scapolite is irradiated (see above).

Moh’s hardness: 5-6

Refractive index: 1.54-1.56

Critical angle: 40°

Specific gravity: 2.57-2.74

Cleavage: Perfect in 2 directions.

Fracture: Conchoidal, brittle

Dispersion: Medium (.017)

Heat sensitivity: Low, but heat can cause problems.

Pleochroism: Dichroic – Pink: strong (pink to colorless); Purple: strong (deep purple to light purple) Yellow: strong (yellow to colorless).

Birefringence (double refraction): Weak to medium (.009-.020)

Crystal structure: Tetragonal

Treatments: Purple may be irradiated and/or heat treated.

Cutting: Cuts easily.  Cleavage is usually not a problem.

Polishing: Cerium oxide or alumina on most common polishing laps.

Comments: Orient for best color.