What Luster is Pectolite?
What Luster is Pectolite?
Pectolite is a white to gray mineral, NaCa2Si3O8(OH), sodium calcium hydroxide inosilicate. It crystallizes in the triclinic system typically occurring in radiated or fibrous crystalline masses….
Pectolite | |
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Luster | Silky, subvitreous |
Streak | White |
Diaphaneity | Translucent to opaque |
Specific gravity | 2.84 – 2.90 |
What type of rock is Pectolite?
Larimar
Larimar (Blue Pectolite) | |
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Category | Inosilicate mineral |
Formula (repeating unit) | NaCu2Si3O8(OH) or NaCa2Si3O8(OH)(Calcium substitution by Copper produces the Blue Color) |
Crystal system | Triclinic |
Crystal class | Pinacoidal (1) (same H-M symbol) |
Is Pectolite a crystal?
Pectolite is a unique mineral known for its interesting crystal habits. Its crystals primarily form as extremely slender and elongated densely grouped fragile fibers radiating from a central point outwards. When the fibers are very densely-packed, the result formation is as thick, globular masses.
Where can I find Pectolite?
The Dominican Republic
Sources. The Dominican Republic is the principal source of gem-quality pectolite. Larimar is typically cabbed instead of faceted. Larimar stones from the Filipinas Larimar Mine, Los Checheses, Sierra de Baoruco, Barahona Province, Dominican Republic.
Is pectolite a zeolite?
Prehnite’s Prevalent Presence. Of all the non-zeolite minerals, prehnite is certainly the mineral most often thought to be a zeolite because it is so common.
What is pectolite used in?
Pectolite is quite soft to make jewelry, and it’s usually cut for gemstone collectors for collection and display purposes only.
Why is Larimar so expensive?
A piece of high quality jewelry such as that has an incrementally different value than a simpler piece created with more rudimentary skills. Every hundred feet farther into the ground the miners have to dig makes larimar that much more difficult and costly to bring to the customer.
What is the blue stone from Dominican Republic?
Larimar
Larimar or blue pectolite is an extremely rare gemstone. It has been found only in one location: a mountainous, relatively inaccessible area in the province of Barahona in the Dominican Republic.
Is larimar a zeolite?
It so happens larimar is really the non-zeolite mineral pectolite, which is very often associated with zeolites. When found in cavities of volcanic rock along with zeolites, pectolite looks nothing like larimar. It develops in long, brittle needle-like crystals in radiating fans several inches long and wide.
What kind of stone is prehnite?
inosilicate stone
Prehnite is an inosilicate stone comprised of calcium and magnesium. Although the prehnite crystal does not officially form part of the zeolite family, it can often be mined in the same areas that zeolite crystals are found.
What is a blue pectolite?
Larimar or blue pectolite is an extremely rare gemstone. It has been found only in one location: a mountainous, relatively inaccessible area in the province of Barahona in the Dominican Republic.
Is pink Larimar real?
This natrolite from Indonesia has a unique rose pink color and Larimar-like texture on polished surfaces, which is not common in natrolite from other localities.