Also called wernerite after the German geologist, A.G. Werner, scapolite ranges in color from pink, Purple, blue, yellow, and grey, to colorless. These colors reflect the Variation In composition, from sodium-rich to calcium-rich. Crystals are found as prisms that resemble sticks, giving rise to the name "scapolite", derived from the Greek words scapos, meaning rod, and lithos, meaning stone.

Scapolite is found as crystals in pegmatites and metamorphic rocks like mica schist and gneiss. It also occurs in massive form. Localities include Brazil, Burma, Canada, Kenya, and Madagascar.

A cat's eye effect can be seen in some pink and purple stones. Scapolite may easily be confused with amblygonite, chrysoberyl, and golden beryl. available in the early 20th century.