Labradorite Feldspar

The Feldspar Group

Feldspar is a ubiquitous mineral that, usually in the form of small grains,
makes up 50-60% of the content of the rocks of the Earth's crust. More
precisely, it's a group of related mineral species, which, in larger deposits
of single crystal forms, are known as several familiar gemstones:
amazonite, moonstone, sunstone, orthoclase and labradorite.
The entire feldspar group is divided into two main branches, the potassium
feldspars: microcline and orthoclase, and the sodium/calcium feldspars
known as the plagioclase "series". A solid solution series, in mineralogical
terms, is a set of mineral species which grade in composition, within the
same basic chemical formula, through mixtures, from one pure end
material to the other. In the case of the plagioclase feldspars the series runs
from 100% albite (NaAlSi
3
O
8
) to 100% anorthite (CaAl
2
Si
2
O
8
) with
labradorite in the near 50/50 range.
Labradorite
Labradorite is translucent to opaque with light to dark grey body color,
often with needle-like inclusions of black magnetite or ilmenite and usually
showing some fracturing.
This gem is the only species that can claim sole possession of an entire
optical phenomenon, in this case "Labradorescence". Only Labradorite
gems show this distinctive directionally-oriented surface display of one or
more metallic looking spectral colors. The structural cause is the repeated
thin layer (lamellar) twinning of its crystals which creates both diffraction
and interference as light passes through and reflects from the parallel
surfaces.
One of the most singular aspects of this iridescence is its distinct
directionality. Notice in the photo below, how certain faces show a silvery
or blue "shiller" and the others do not. Any gem fashioned from this
material must be carefully oriented so that this display shows to best
advantage, and even then, it will be visible only at certain angles. The
thickness and uniformity of the layers determines the color(s) to be seen.
[Labradorite rough]
The name derives from the original mine site along the coast of Labrador,
found at the beginning of the 19th Century and which is still productive,
but India, Scandinavia, Madagascar and the US now provide additional
supplies. The majority of specimens of this gem show a silvery blue to
bright blue sheen. The three specimens below show the range from semi-
transparency, through translucence to opacity seen in the species.
Lapidary artists have long exploited the beauty of the material in
cabochons and gem carvings. Faceted specimens, though rarely seen, have
a distinctive and unusual beauty.
[Labradorite gems]
Truth in Marketing
There are no synthetics or simulants to worry about with this gem group
and enhancements are rarely encounted. One related issue does bear
mentioning however--> large quantities of a translucent white Labradorite
which originates in India is widely sold under the misnomer "rainbow
moonstone" at very modest prices. (True moonstone is a different, rarer
and considerably more expensive, species of feldspar that has its own
distinctive optical phenomenon.) As you can see, the material in question is
no less attractive for bearing its improper name.
[White Indian Labradorite, aka "rainbow moonstone"]
Spectrolite
A particularly colorful deposit of Labradorite was discovered in Finland,
and later mined elsewhere in Scandinavia, which shows not only blue, but
green, gold and rarely red or violet sheen, and has been given its own
variety name: "spectrolite", due to its resemblance to the color spectrum.
[Spectrolite cabochon and carving]
[Spectrolite jewelry]
Care and Use
Due to its modest hardness (6 - 6.5), heat sensitivity, and cleavability this
gem is relatively fragile and must be set, worn, and cleaned with care. That
care will reward the owner many times over, however, as a high quality,
well cut piece of labradorite or spectrolite is a joy to behold. Every
movement creates a shifting pattern of surface colors, the brightest of
which can rival those on the wings of tropical butterflies. Ultrasonic or
steam cleaning is too risky and gems to be used in rings or bracelets should
be given protective settings and worn infrequently. The best use for this
gem is earrings, brooches and pendants which are worry free.
Value
Labradorite is a gem bargain, as even the highest quality specimens are a
fraction of the cost of comparably colored ammolites, precious opals or fire
agates. The most valuable pieces of both labradorite and spectrolite are
those with the brightest and most uniform color flashes, showing no
"dead" areas. In premium gems the fracturing and inclusions are minimal
and non-intrusive. Beyond that, the value of a piece lies in its size and in
the artistry of the cutting or carving.
Gemological Properties
Makeup: An aluminum silicate: 30-50% Albite (NaAlSi
3
O
8
) and 70 - 50 %
Anorthite (CaAl
2
Si
2
O
8
)
Crystal system: Triclinic
Refractive Index: 1.55 - 1.57
Birefringence: .009
Hardness: 6 - 6.5
Toughness: Poor
Specific Gravity: 2.70 - 2.75
Cleavage: Perfect in one direction, good in another (at right angles to each
other)
Fracture: Uneven to splintery
UV Reaction: Usually inert
Luster: Vitreous
All text and images are Copyright of Barbara W. Smigel, 2012 unless
otherwise indiated.
!o reprodution allowed without expliit permission.
Mexican Opal
There are so many different names in use for this type of opal: fire opal,
jelly opal, crystal opal, cherry opal, girasol, etc. In my opinion, therefore,
the best general term for this sort of transparent opal with body color
ranging from colorless through yellow to orange to deep red and usually
without play of color, is Mexican opal. Even though some pieces originate
from other locales such as the USA and Brazil. This terminology helps
prevent confusion from the term "fire" which is often used to mean "play
of color". Mexican opal that does have play of color is in its own small sub-
category, and is properly referred to as "precious Mexican opal".
All opals are hydrated silicates usually containing from 3 - 10% water; but
stones from a few sources (notably Virgin Valley, Nevada) can be as high
as 20% in water content. If play of color is present, its source is the same in
Mexican opal as for the precious white and black opals. Namely,
diffraction and interference of light rays which travel through the spaces
between the tightly packed silica spheres of which it is made. Some pieces
show their color play in reflected light (more common) and some, only in
transmitted light. These latter stones, called "contra-luz" are quite rare
and desirable.
Facetors appreciate Mexican opal's ready availability in nice sized pieces,
its reasonable price, and its wonderful range of highly saturated colors.
Only the most transparent pieces lack the phenomenon of "opalescence",
which is a slightly to moderately strong milky haze within the stone's
interior, similar to that seen in rose quartz. Much has been said about this
gem's tendency to craze, that is, to develop fine cracks due to dehydration,
but the vast majority of the pieces on the market are stable. Reputable
rough dealers screen out the unstable pieces, before sale, by subjecting
them to prolonged high temperature and low humidity conditions.
Naturally, as with all types of opal, stones are somewhat fragile, and not
well suited for use in rings meant for hard everyday wear or in bracelets or
cufflinks. Likewise, strong chemicals, ultrasonic vibrations, and abrupt
dramatic temperature changes can cause damage. In earrings, pendants,
tie pins, brooches and special occasion rings and with reasonable care, it
does very well.
Cleaning with a soft brush and warm soapy water is safe and effective. It is
not advisable, in fact, it is likely to be harmful, to store opals in mineral oil
or or glycerin and this practice will not prevent crazing. Storage in water,
although safe, has no protective benefit. It is wise, however, to store the
stones and jewelry items in their own separate compartments to prevent
scratching from harder gems and metals.
[Typical Mexican opals showing a variety of body colors]
[Precious Mexican opal, cat'seye Mexican opal]
[Bi-colored Mexican opal, contra-luz Mexican opal]
Value
The most desirable pieces are nearly completely transparent and, when
colored, show a strong, highly saturated hue. Most reds in this variety are
tinged with various degrees of orange, so pure, spectral red pieces are
exceedingly rare and therefore higher priced. Play of color enhances the
value of any stone dramatically. Cat'seyes and bi-colored stones also sell at
a premium.
Mexican opal commands its highest prices in Germany and in Japan
where many of the Mexican stones are exported. Here in the US, it remains
an excellent bargain, even in larger, custom cut pieces of finest color.
Enhancements such as heating, filling or irradiation are at present
unknown in this variety.
Gemological Data
Makeup: hydrated silicon dioxide
Luster: vitreous to resinous
Hardness: 5.5 - 6
Crystal structure: none, it is amorphous
Fracture: conchoidal to uneven
Cleavage: none
Density: 2.15
RI: 1.42 - 1.43
Birefringence: none
All text and images are Copyright of Barbara W. Smigel, 2012 unless
otherwise indiated.
!o reprodution allowed without expliit permission.
Chrysocolla Chalcedony
The common mineral quartz, occurs both in the familiar single crystal
varieties of amethyst, citrine, rose quartz, etc, and also in a number of
aggregate forms. These aggregates, such as agate, jasper, and chalcedony,
are made up of submicroscopic quartz crystals intermeshed together.
When the quartz aggregates are translucent, and of a single color, they are
known as chalcedonies. Examples of well known types of chalcedony are
brown to orange carnelian, and apple green chrysoprase.
Less common, and more valuable, is a type of chalcedony with vivid
greenish blue color, frequently referred to as "gem silica"in the trade.
More correctly it would be called chrysocolla chalcedony. Structurally it is
composed of near colorless chalcedony that has been stained, on a
microscopic level, by infiltration of solutions carrying the same copper
salts which give color to the mineral chrysocolla.
If it is evenly stained throughout, it has an intense, uniform, slightly to
moderately greenish blue color. Chrysocolla itself, though beautifully
colored, is far too soft and fragile (H = 2 - 4) to be useable for jewelry
purposes. Additionally, pieces of pure chrysocolla generally have a chalky,
crumbly texture, or occur as thin powdery crusts on the surface of a rock.
[Chrysocolla specimen: lovely but not recommended for jewelry use]
The so-called, "gem silica", however, since it is actually a type of
chalcedony with quartz's hardness of 7, and excellent toughness, is quite
suitable for jewelry use. Sources include, Arizona, New Mexico, Mexico,
Taiwan and the Philippines. Rarely, gem silica occurs in botryoidal (with a
bubble-textured surface) or drusy (with a sugar-like crystal coating) form.
[Chrysocolla chalcedony (aka "gem silica"): top quality cabochon, drusy
cabochon in a pendant, botryoidal cabochon, carving]
Value
The most valuable specimens of this kind of material are those that are
highly translucent, evenly colored, free from inclusions, and strongly
saturated in color. People who may not realize the rarity of such stones,
are, sometimes, taken aback by the relatively high price for what is
afterall, a form of quartz, and a cabochon stone to boot. Highly translucent
cabochons of the most vivid color may retail for as much as $100/ct.
Increased demand and familiarity with this gem has been occasioned by
top gem carvers and goldsmiths recently making this stone a "gem of
choice". There has also been intense interest by Oriental collectors which
has driven prices up as well. Those specimens which tend to greenish hues
and which are opaque, included, or uneven in color are much less costly.
Gemological Data:
Makeup: microcrystalline or cryptocrystalline quartz, Si0
2
, colored by
copper
Luster: vitreous
Hardness: 7
Crystal structure: hexagonal
Fracture: conchoidal to granular
Cleavage: none
Density: 2.60
RI: 1.54
Birefringence: 0.004, usually not detectable
Pleiochroism: none
All text and images are Copyright of Barbara W. Smigel, 2012 unless
otherwise indiated.
!o reprodution allowed without expliit permission.
Morganite
Morganite is beryl colored by manganese impurities. Although violet and
peach are possible colors, the most common and preferred color is pink.
Heat and light will remove the yellow component from peach beryl so it is
often heated to get "pinker" stones. It entered the American market in
1911 when Tiffany & Co. introduced it and named it in honor of J.P.
Morgan. Original deposits from Madagascar are now worked out, but
Brazil, Namibia and other locations produce rough. Growth tubes are a
typical inclusion in beryl and often seen in Morganite. Very often near
colorless specimens are offered as Morganite when they more properly
should be labeled Goshenite (colorless beryl). Although it takes a larger
stone to develop really good body color, smaller stones can be very
brilliant. Like most beryls, Morganite makes an excellent jewelry stone
requiring no special care.
[Morganite gems]
Value
Medium light to medium pink, clean stones with custom cuts are the most
valuable. Very light and included stones are on the lower end of the value
spectrum. As Morganite frequently occurs in larger crystals, there is not
the exponential increase in price with size we see in so many gems.
Paradoxically, smaller Morganites (if they show good color) can be more
valuable than larger ones which often, in order show good color must be so
large as to limit their reasonable use in jewelry. As is the case with
aquamarine, there is a small but growing segment of collectors who prefer
the unheated peachy color and are willing to pay a premium to get an
untreated piece.
Gemological Data
Makeup: a beryllium, aluminum silcate
Luster: Vitreous
Hardness: 7.5
Crystal structure: Hexagonal
Fracture: conchoidal
Density: 2.80
RI: 1.58 - 1.59
Birefringence: .008
All text and images are Copyright of Barbara W. Smigel, 2012 unless
otherwise indiated.
!o reprodution allowed without expliit permission.
CHAROITE
Named for the only locale in which it is found, the Charo River Valley in
the former Soviet Union, Charoite is one of the few gems that is so
distinctive in its color and patterns that a gemologist can feel justified in
making a "sight" identification. There's really no other material likely to
be mistaken for it -- at least this is true until a synthetic or man-made
simulant comes along some day.
Like lapis lazuli, the gemstone that we call "Charoite" is actually a rock
composed of several minerals including Charoite! Unlike lapis, though, it is
usually nearly pure Charoite mineral, with only slight amounts of
microcline feldspar, aergirine-augite and tinaksite. It is the mineral
Charoite that gives this gem its unmistakable purple color which, often in
the same piece, ranges from very light to medium dark purple and from
translucent to opaque. The other distinctive aspect of its appearance is the
swirling patterns that form due to its fibrous crystals being arrayed in
complex interlocking patterns.
First found, 325 miles North of the tip of Lake Baikal, in the 1940's and
locally called "lilac stone", this gem was introduced to the Western
gemstone marketplace as Charoite in the 1970's. It immediately made a
large impact, both with traditional lapidaries and marketers who used it
for decorative objects, carvings and cabochons, and, soon after, with
metaphysical gem enthusiasts for whom it embodies a long list of healing
and spiritual attributes.
Charoite is formed from limestone by the process of contact
metamorphism. Since this is a relatively common geologic phenomenon it
is not completely clear why its distribution is so limited. Apparently the
particular limestone in that area had unique chemical properties as did the
intrusive rocks. So far, gemologists have not been able to ascertain the
exact chemical or structural reason for its purple color. To say that the
mineral Charoite is a silicate of complex compostion an understatement:
one mineralogical source describes it as a hydrated potassium, sodium,
calcium, barium, strontium, silicate hydroxyfluoride!
As a gem it is reasonably tough with a hardness between 5 and 6 and no
cleavage. Use in rings or bracelets is probably unwise, but most other
jewelry uses are safe. It is somewhat heat sensitive, so steam cleaning
should be avoided, as should ultrasonic processes. As with the majority of
gems, the best cleaning tool is a soft brush, a mild detergent and warm
water.
One of the loveliest aspects of the best Charoite gems is a slight to
moderate chatoyance which gives it a silky or pearly luster. This attribute,
as well as the swirling patterns and distinctive purple color, is well
demonstrated by the pieces below:
[Charoite gems showing their characteristic color and chatoyance]
VALUE FACTORS:
Charoite is a gemstone bargain. Even the highest quality pieces are, at
most, a few dollars a carat. Look for a lovely pattern, pleasing colors, a
good polish and a shape that appeals to you, and you cannot go wrong. If
the piece shows some chatoyance, that would add to its value
GEMOLOGICAL DATA:
Makeup: A rock composed mainly of the complex silicate mineral Charoite
Crystal System: Monoclinic
Hardness: 5 - 6
Density: 2.5 - 2.8
Refractive Index: 1.55 - 1.56
Birefringence: .009
Fluorescence: LW, weak to inert; SW, weak to inert
Fracture: conchcoidal to splintery
Luster: vitreous to pearly or silky
All text and images are Copyright of Barbara W. Smigel, 2012 unless
otherwise indiated.
!o reprodution allowed without expliit permission.
Tsavorite Garnet
"sa#orite, or transparent, green grossular garnet, was diso#ered in $enya
in the 1%&0's and gi#en its trade name by "iffany mar(eters based on the
proximity of "sa#o !ational )ar( to the mine sites. *t is one of the most
sought after and #aluable types of garnet.
"he geologi deposits in whih it is found are diffiult and expensi#e to
mine and unpreditable in distribution so prodution as been sporadi.
)olitial onflits and trade issues further endanger the reliable supply.
"he rystals whih are found show e#idene of being affeted by
tremendous geologi fores, and as a result are seldom found large and
lean. Cut speimens o#er + arats are exeedingly rare.
"he olor ranges from lime green to emerald green to pure spetral green
and is aused by high #anadium ontent. ,arely found better than
eyelean, typial inlusions are straight or angular orrosion growth tubes,
fingerprints, feathers, #eils and graphite inlusions. -i(e all types of garnet
this stone is the birthstone for the month of .anuary.

[Tsavorite gems: brilliant cut trillion, cabochon, step cut emerald cut,
marquis brilliants in a ring]
/alue
0i#en the rarity, popularity, and sporadi supply of these stones, the
o#erall trend in #alue sine their introdution has been up, up, up.
"he best speimens are those that are pure spetral green in a
medium dar( to medium tone. "hose that are dar(er or lighter
than this are muh less desirable. )rie exponentially inreases
with si1e and a ustom ut adds onsiderable #alue as the ma2ority
of speimens are nati#e ut.
0emologial 3ata
4a(eup5 a alium aluminum siliate
Crystal system5 Cubi
-uster5 /itreous
Clea#age5 none
6ardness5 7
8rature5 onhoidal to une#en
3ensity5 +.&1
,*5 1.79
3ispersion5 .02:
All text and images are Copyright of Barbara W. Smigel, 2012 unless
otherwise indiated.
!o reprodution allowed without expliit permission.