Idocrases

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A brown, green or yellowish silicate mineral of calcium, magnesium, aluminium and iron that crystallizes in the tetragonal system
2. A complex calcium silicate mineral, also called vesuvianite, that forms prismatic crystals often found in metamorphosed limestone
3. Any of several gemstone-quality silicate minerals known as vesuvianite, prized by collectors for their glassy lustre and crystal habit

Etymology: Idocrases is the plural of idocrase, the name of a mineral also known as vesuvianite, which typically occurs in brown to green crystals. The singular is built from Greek "eidos", meaning "form" or "shape", and "krasis", meaning "mixture". The name is generally taken to refer to the mineral's mixed crystal forms.

Synonyms: vesuvianite