The scapolites are a group of common calcium-containing silicates, which occasionally possess sufficient levels of transparency to be used as both faceted gemstones and uncut specimens for mineral collectors. This gemmy material is usually associated with yellow or purple hues, and is therefore often confused with the similarly-colored macrocrystalline quartz varieties, citrine and amethyst. However, scapolite can usually be distinguished by way of its yellowish fluorescent glow under long-wave ultraviolet light sources. Some cabochon-cut specimens are also able to display chatoyant effects, with these “scapolite cat’s eyes” usually possessing either a brownish-red or white coloration.

With a name derived from the Greek for “stick” or “stem”, skapos, scapolite is often encountered in long, slender forms. Gemmy crystals were first discovered in Myanmar’s famous Mogok gemstone tract, but have also since been found in Brazil, Mozambique and Madagascar.