Epidote Crystals

Epidote is an abundant rock-forming mineral, but one of secondary origin. It occurs in marble and schistose rocks of metamorphic origin. It is also a product of hydrothermal alteration of various minerals (feldspars, micas, pyroxenes, amphiboles, garnets, and others) composing igneous rocks.

Well developed crystals of epidote are crystallizing in the monoclinic system and are of frequent occurrence: they are commonly prismatic in habit, the direction of elongation being perpendicular to the single plane of symmetry. The faces are often deeply striated and crystals are often twinned.

Many of the characters of the mineral vary with the amount of iron present for instance, the color, the optical constants, and the specific gravity. The color is green, grey, brown or nearly black, but usually a characteristic shade of yellowish-green or pistachio-green.

Epidote displays strong pleochroism (or iridiscense), means their optical properties vary with the direction of light. The direction of the electric field determines the polarization of light, and crystals will respond in different ways if this angle is changed.

We are cutting non-crystalized massive epidote into spheres, tumbled and other products. We are also ofering massive crystals where the fan-shaped crystals are not yet separated from each other for gemcutting to lapidary clients. Finally we are offering Epidote crystals in different sizes and qualities in flats as well as by the kilo.