Gem Profile- Prehnite
Prehnite
Today's featured gem, Prehnite, is a beautiful stone, and was recently wire wrapped (right) by our June Wire Artist of the Month, Kathy Evert! See a larger picture of Kathy's Sun Jade Pendant and discover what she loves about making jewelry and how she sells her wire wrapped jewelry on the Wire Artist of the Month page.
Today's featured gem, Prehnite, is a beautiful stone, and was recently wire wrapped (right) by our June Wire Artist of the Month, Kathy Evert! See a larger picture of Kathy's Sun Jade Pendant and discover what she loves about making jewelry and how she sells her wire wrapped jewelry on the Wire Artist of the Month page.
Sun Jade Pendant by Kathy Evert
Prehnite Facts and Appearance
Unique, lovely, and translucent, prehnite seems to contain a soft inner glow. It is a metamorphic phyllosilicate of aluminum and calcite, with a Mohs hardness of 6 to 6.5.
Prehnite forms in microcrystalline sheets, which is the reason for its pearly cleavage.
It holds the honor of being the first rock named for its documented discoverer: Dutch mineralogist Colonel Hendrik von Prehn, who recognized it in the 18th century.
Although rare, prehnite has been found in tabular or pyramid crystal form. Most often, the botryoidal formations are used to carve or cut into cabochons.
Prehnite can also be faceted and takes an excellent polish
Faceted yellow prehnite cabochons with white "blooms." Dale Armstrong, private collection
Unique, lovely, and translucent, prehnite seems to contain a soft inner glow. It is a metamorphic phyllosilicate of aluminum and calcite, with a Mohs hardness of 6 to 6.5.
Prehnite forms in microcrystalline sheets, which is the reason for its pearly cleavage.
It holds the honor of being the first rock named for its documented discoverer: Dutch mineralogist Colonel Hendrik von Prehn, who recognized it in the 18th century.
Although rare, prehnite has been found in tabular or pyramid crystal form. Most often, the botryoidal formations are used to carve or cut into cabochons.
Prehnite can also be faceted and takes an excellent polish
Faceted yellow prehnite cabochons with white "blooms." Dale Armstrong, private collection
The most popular colors of prehnite found in the jewelry industry today are soft lemon yellow and apple green. It may or may not include white blooms.
It can also be found with hues of brown, and very rarely, a vanadium-influenced orange.
One reason this luminous mineral is popular is its seemingly frozen, needle and fern-like inclusions .
These wonderfully contrasting, green to greenish-black epidote inclusions are often mislabeled as tourmaline or simply "moss."
Occasionally, prehnite has been found with chatoyancy, the changeable luster known as the "cat's eye" effect.
Prehnite was once considered one of the world's rare gems. However, new finds in South Africa, India, and Canada have made it presently an affordable material.
New deposits have also been found in the United States, including Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New England.
Epidote-included prehnite cabochons and beads. Dale Armstrong-private collection.
It can also be found with hues of brown, and very rarely, a vanadium-influenced orange.
One reason this luminous mineral is popular is its seemingly frozen, needle and fern-like inclusions .
These wonderfully contrasting, green to greenish-black epidote inclusions are often mislabeled as tourmaline or simply "moss."
Occasionally, prehnite has been found with chatoyancy, the changeable luster known as the "cat's eye" effect.
Prehnite was once considered one of the world's rare gems. However, new finds in South Africa, India, and Canada have made it presently an affordable material.
New deposits have also been found in the United States, including Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New England.
Epidote-included prehnite cabochons and beads. Dale Armstrong-private collection.
Names for Prehnite
Sometimes prehnite is mistakenly labeled as chrysolite. Chrysolite is actually another name vendors use for two totally different minerals: chrysoberyl and olivine.However, one Australian mine produces such awesome, gem-quality prehnite that the material has been given the registered trade name $SunJade^{text{®}}$.
This particular variety of prehnite is usually a translucent celery green. It was named $SunJade^{text{®}}$ because it resembles "bottled sunlight."
Prehnite is also called "Grape Jade" in China, due to its botryoidal, grape-like formations.Our next Gem Profile will cover actual jade.
This is a piece of agatized coral, but is a nice example of what Dale means by "botryoidal." Private collection, Dale Armstrong
Sometimes prehnite is mistakenly labeled as chrysolite. Chrysolite is actually another name vendors use for two totally different minerals: chrysoberyl and olivine.However, one Australian mine produces such awesome, gem-quality prehnite that the material has been given the registered trade name $SunJade^{text{®}}$.
This particular variety of prehnite is usually a translucent celery green. It was named $SunJade^{text{®}}$ because it resembles "bottled sunlight."
Prehnite is also called "Grape Jade" in China, due to its botryoidal, grape-like formations.Our next Gem Profile will cover actual jade.
This is a piece of agatized coral, but is a nice example of what Dale means by "botryoidal." Private collection, Dale Armstrong
Metaphysical Properties of Prehnite
Metaphysically, prehnite is believed to:
Increase knowledge of the self.
Invite protection and peace.
Assist in healing the self and analyzing situations.
Strengthen the life force and increase/stimulate energy.
Known as a stone of unconditional love, prehnite is thought to alleviate nightmares and other fears by healing the internal source of that fear.
Many feel that prehnite crystals can allow the release of old, painful memories by helping the wearer confront and understand that pain.
Prehnite is also thought to ease pain for those suffering from:
Gout
Anemia
Kidney problems
It is associated with the Solar Plexus Chakra when yellow and the Heart Chakra when green.
Metaphysically, prehnite is believed to:
Increase knowledge of the self.
Invite protection and peace.
Assist in healing the self and analyzing situations.
Strengthen the life force and increase/stimulate energy.
Known as a stone of unconditional love, prehnite is thought to alleviate nightmares and other fears by healing the internal source of that fear.
Many feel that prehnite crystals can allow the release of old, painful memories by helping the wearer confront and understand that pain.
Prehnite is also thought to ease pain for those suffering from:
Gout
Anemia
Kidney problems
It is associated with the Solar Plexus Chakra when yellow and the Heart Chakra when green.
Resources
Book Resources:
Minerals of the World, by Walter Schumann, ISBN 0-8069-8570-4
The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, ISBN 0-394-50269-8
Internet Resources:
www.wikipedia.org
Book Resources:
Minerals of the World, by Walter Schumann, ISBN 0-8069-8570-4
The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, ISBN 0-394-50269-8
Internet Resources:
www.wikipedia.org
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Dale Armstrong
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