Mineralogical characteristics of Be-bearing cordierite Be (Mg, Fe, Mn)₂Al₂Si₆O₁₈ like mineral

Abstract

We have encountered a transparent bluish-purple cut stone that shows characteristics not found in the market of gemstones. The stone looks to be cordierite or scapolite, but its spectroscopic characteristics are different from either of them. The X-ray powder diffraction pattern was found to match with the data of Be-bearing cordierite (BeMg₂Al₂Si₆O₁₈) like mineral, which is a synthetic crystal. This mineral has not yet been described as a natural one in literatures, and would be a new mineral available for gem, if its locality is identified.