Natural Pezzottaite

Pezzottaite is a new mineral species recently approved by the IMA. Previously considered to be a cesium rich beryl, the ordered incorporation of lithium into the crystal lattice is responsible for the crystallization dissimilar to beryl. Although many similarities exist, beryl crystallizes hexagonally and pezzottaite crystallizes trigonally so they cannot belong to the same mineral species. The saturated pink material has been recently discovered associated with mica, schorl and amazonite in Madagascar northeast of Fianarantsoa. With a refractive index up to 1.615 and a density up to 3.10, the values also exceed the properties for beryl. Chemical analyses reveal very high cesium concentrations of over 15% Cs2O. An additional form of pezzottaite has also been discovered in Afghanistan.

Pezzottaite Profile

Refractive Index:	1.604 - 1.615
Density:	3.10
Crystal Group:	Trigonal
Ocurrence:	Madagascar, Afghanistan
Sign of the Zodiac:	N/A
Month of the year:	N/A

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