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Scapolite is a group of rock-forming silicate minerals with a name derived from the Greek words for "rod" and "stone," reflecting its common crystal shape. It can be translucent to transparent and comes in a variety of colors, most often yellow, but also pink, purple, white, brown, grey, blue, and greenish hues. While not a well-known gemstone due to its moderate hardness, it can be attractive in jewelry and is particularly sought after in rare, collectible forms like cat's-eye or intensely colored purple stones.

Key characteristics

• Name origin: From the Greek words skapos (rod) and lithos (stone).

• Crystal form: Forms long, prismatic crystals, often with flat pyramidal terminations.

• Composition: A solid-solution series of minerals, with marialite (sodium endmember) and meionite (calcium endmember) being the main theoretical components.

• Colors: Commonly yellow, but can also be found in pink, purple, orange, white, grey, blue, and green.

• Hardness: Approximately 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, which is moderate, making it more suitable for jewelry that isn't subjected to heavy wear and tear.

• Luster: Vitreous or glass-like.

• Occurrence: Found in calcium-rich metamorphic rocks like marble and gneiss.

• Notable localities: Canada, Tanzania, Madagascar, Brazil, and Pakistan are significant sources.