Sillimanite Visible Spectra (generally 350 - 1200 nm)
Images of representative sillimanites
Visible Spectra: polarizations: (a = alpha direction; b = beta direction; g = gamma direction)
Fe3+ is usually responsible for the yellow color in sillimanite. Other colors can occur
when intervalence charge transfer is involved.
- GRR 273 spectrum;
sillimanite, GRR 273, Reinbolt Hills, Antactrica, 2.7 mm thick with a
typical yellow color from Fe3+. Reference: Rossman et al. (1982) Amer. Mineral
67, 749-761. Data Files:
a 9K;
g 5K
- GRR 444 spectrum;
Sillimanite, GRR 444, Ceylon, 10.0 mm thick. Blue color from
intervalance charge transfer.
Data Files:
a 3K ;
c 4K
- GRR 382 spectrum;
Sillimanite, GRR 382, Sardinia, plotted as 0.50 mm thick. Purple-brown
color from Fe3+ and intervalance charge transfer
presumed to be from Fe2+ and Ti4+.
Data Files:
a 3K ;
b 1K ;
g 6K
Back to the list of minerals
Back to the Mineral Spectroscopy home page
Last revised 20-Jan-2021