Gem of the Month

Each month this section will feature either a topic of interest to gem lovers or one special gemstone with background on the material and its value.

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Clinohumite

June, 2000

This stone is virtually unknown outside the world of gem collecting, but deserves wider acclaim. Gem quality material was discovered in 1983 and is mined at only one location in the remote Pamir Mountains of Eastern Europe. It ranges in color from slightly orangey yellow, through orange to orangey brown. Cut pieces are small (generally under a carat) and may be included. The relatively high refractive index makes stones very brilliant and the hardness of slightly over 6 makes it useable for most jewelry applications, other than daily wear rings. Perhaps a few dozen stones have been cut world-wide. Some extremely rare gems are fragile or rather unattractive, but clinohumite is an exception in being both beautiful and reasonably durable.

Value

One of the world's rarest stones, fine gems of saturated orange color, good clarity and any size at all, bring very high prices. Hopefully recently renewed mining in the region will unearth new deposits and increase the supply for its many admirers.

Gemological Data:

Makeup: a magnesium, iron silicate

Luster: vitreous

Hardness: 6

Crystal structure: monoclinic

Flourescence: orangey yellow

Cleavage: poor

Density: 3.18

RI: 1.63-1.66

Birefringence: .037

Pleochroism: slight, yellow to orange

Stones Currently Available:

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