Violan
A variety of Clinopyroxene Subgroup
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About Violan
Colour:
Purple, reddish purple, bluish purple
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy, Greasy
Hardness:
6
Specific Gravity:
3.233
Name:
Named in 1838 by August Breithaupt for the colour of the mineral.
First Recorded Locality:
Purple to blue-purple diopside, augite or omphacite coloured by manganese. Note that mauve-coloured diopside, owing its colour to titanium, is not violan.
Because of the bright purple colour, violan is probably Mn3+-bearing and not Mn2+-bearing. Compare johannsenite.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Violan.
Because of the bright purple colour, violan is probably Mn3+-bearing and not Mn2+-bearing. Compare johannsenite.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Violan.Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
8117 (as Violan)
7630 (as Clinopyroxene Subgroup)
7630 (as Clinopyroxene Subgroup)
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:8117:3 (as Violan)
mindat:1:1:7630:8 (as Clinopyroxene Subgroup)
mindat:1:1:7630:8 (as Clinopyroxene Subgroup)
IMA Classification of Violan
Discredited
Physical Properties of Violan
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy, Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Purple, reddish purple, bluish purple
Comment:
Due to Mn3+
Hardness:
6 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
{110}
{110}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Splintery
Density:
3.233 g/cm3 (Measured)
First Recorded Occurrence of Violan
General Appearance of First Recorded Material:
Bluish purple to bright purple resinous masses with rare crystal form.
Associated Minerals at First Recorded Locality:
Synonyms of Violan
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 6 photos of Violan associated with 'Alurgite' | K(Al,Mn3+)2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 5 photos of Violan associated with Braunite | Mn2+Mn3+6(SiO4)O8 |
| 4 photos of Violan associated with Piemontite | (CaCa)(AlAlMn3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| 3 photos of Violan associated with 'Hexagonite' | ◻{Ca2}{(Mg,Mn)5}(Si8O22)(OH)2 |
| 3 photos of Violan associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 2 photos of Violan associated with Omphacite | (NaaCabFe2+cMgd)(AleFe3+fFe2+gMgh)Si2O6 |
| 2 photos of Violan associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 1 photo of Violan associated with Strontiomelane | Sr(Mn4+6Mn3+2)O16 |
Fluorescence of Violan
Not fluorescent in UV
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Violan
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-8117.html
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References for Violan
Reference List:
Mottana, A., Rossi, G., Kracher, A., Kurat, G. (1979) Violan revisited: Mn-bearing omphacite and diopside. TMPM Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 26 (3). 187-201 doi:10.1007/bf01081845
Diella, Valeria, Bocchio, Rosangela, Caucia, Franca, Marinoni, Nicoletta, Langone, Antonio, Possenti, Elena (2021) New Insights for Gem-Quality Mn-Bearing Diopside-Omphacite, Violane Variety, from Saint Marcel (Val D’Aosta, Italy): Its Trace Elements and Spectroscopic Characterization. Minerals, 11 (2) 171 doi:10.3390/min11020171
Localities for Violan
Showing 7 localities.
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The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Germany | |
| Bender et al. (1994) |
Greece | |
| Reinecke (1982) +1 other reference |
Italy | |
| Mason (1976) |
| August Breithaupt (1838) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Murdoch (1966) |
| James Cheshire |
| A.Mathauser collection |
Praborna Mine, Servette-Chuc mining complex, Saint-Marcel, Aosta Valley, Italy