Calcites in Green, Minerals and Things…

Close up of specimen. Check out those sexy little striations and the white markings. In a streak test, CaCO3 shows white markings. Image 2.3

Green calcites, rough stones and chemistry, oh my! I’ve been thinking of picking up the practice of tumbling stones again. I’ve no clue how I drifted away from it (although surgery and chronic pain would do it – then a global pandemic).

Sweet blue specimen of CaF2: Fluorite Image. 4.0

The sad tumbler sits and beckons for someone to dust her off, finish the first task and then go to town with new tumbling ventures. Of course I can anthropomorphize a rock tumbler. Why not? It’s entertaining! Poor sad tumblers need love too!

Along with tumbling, I am noodling with other ideas regarding the scientific aspects of crystals, minerals, stones and rocks. I decided that this was a great time to get nerdy with it.

Gratitute in green:

Simple aesthetics in this shy green toned calcite pendant. Image 1.0

I snagged some calcites and fluorites recently with the intention of tumbling them. That shifted to an intention for creating some freestyle wrapped rough pieces. There’s a beauty in roughness… stones and in humanity.

After listening to a fellow hobbiest and cottage industry owner, I’m taking a closer look at the beauty of rough crystalline, mineral and other structures. While doing this, I am taken back to the joy of scientific learning and exploration. Most importantly, my crystal chemistry experiment, lab, research paper and more. *If I locate my photos and personally compiled data, I will share.*

Sexy teal hued fluorite specimen. This lively love shimmies and shows off some delineated areas. Can you see the hint of the octahedral formation within and along her edges. Image 5.0

Calcites are a simple carbonate. I love the formations, the colors and the “energy” which is further on the esoteric side of crystals. Scientifically there are different factual characteristics. I will be maintaining more of the physicalist scientific properties here.

Specimen of green calcite 2.0

Properties:

Chem composition: CaCO3

Mohs Hardness: 3

Specific Gravity: 2.7

Crystal System: Hexagonal

Cleavage: a “perfect” rhombohedral in 3 directions. They have curved crystal faces. These frequently have twinning

Luster: Vitreous

Vitreous luster is shown. Image 2.2

•The powdered form of CaCO3 is said to effervesce weakly in dilute HCl. Note: this was a nifty experiment in either CHM 151 or 152.

•Calcites (like any crystal) have their own unit structutes on an atomic level. The chemical properties of the different crystal species are fascinating.

Colors: white, but also colorless, gray, red, green, blue, yellow, brown, orange

Tones of calcite (L to R): Orange, honey and green calcite. Notice that these too have a vitreous luster. Image 3.0

Calcite has many uses! It’s prolific in nature, therefore we have found uses within industries, in building, with neutralizing acid (thank you tums), as a soil conditioner and heated for the production of lime. This is by no means an exhaustive list of all uses for CaCO3. There are multiple chemical aspects, however calcites have other uses.

Specimens are used for classrooms for teaching, held in collections and kept by geologists. They’re also used by reiki practicioners for alternative healing.

*I want to include some of my personal drawings from a CHM 152 class but will need to wait. I’m hoping to add more to this article as I find pieces from my studies.*

Bibliography:

1). King, Hobart M. PhD, RPG. “Calcite.” Geology.com/minerals/calcite. Accessed 3/10/21

2). Strickland, J. “Calcite Types.” Personal Photography used for all examples. 10/3/2021

Opals: What I’ve Learned So far…

(Updated 3/24/21) Crystalline structures became an interest during my college Chemistry 152 class. When tasked with growing my own crystal for a major research project, I went for the copper sulphate pendahydrate variety due to the superb ability to grow them “gemmy.” Math and Science had been a default for me to work in life’s difficult times. When life doesn’t make sense, Calculus provides an answerable question. The scientific method allows for a set out strategy and positive results matching a hypothesis.

Opals are fundamentally unlike most other gems. They are made of hardened silica gel and contain water. This means that they are characterized as cryptocrystalline. Rather than “minerals,” they are classified as “mineraloids.” They don’t perform well if you allow them to be exposed to heat. This has a tendency to cause brittleness and lead to breakage.

There are multiple varieties, from your “common opal” without sheen to the “ethiopian” water opal. The former variety is known as “color” opal. The color tends to be flatter in some varieties. When cut and faceted, they do show interesting depth. Your water opals (Ethiopian) are known by their beautiful color play. Depending on how light enters, you may see yellow, green, red and blue depending on viewing angles.

Common opals can be found in similar environs to the precious variants. They are more likely to occur in veins near volcanic activity.  Sedimentary rocks and arid climates are another aspect of opal locations. This makes sense given the aforementioned variants. I have worked with both color and water opals. Each variety holds its own sense of magic.

For common opals, one is more likely to locate them in smaller deposits. Mechanized mining is not necessary for uncovering them. A small group can usually work them out in a short period of time, especially compared to other gems (mindat.org). These small seams are found in regions all over the world.

Peru offers pastel colors – pink, blue and green. Oregon is purported to share them in shades of blue, pink and yellow. Given Oregon’s location within a volcanic range and due to ashfall, their petrified wood has a tendency to be “opalized.”

Western Australia makes an opaline form called mookaite. Its specific gravity is like that of an opal. You can find this on the GIA report on the subject (geology.com).

Kenya produces common opal in different shades of olive green. It tends to be cut for cabochons.

Virgin Valley, Nevada is a source of opals that glow and flouresce in a wild green color. Most of these specimens were found to contain uranium during the 50s. This is according to a USGS survey done (3).

Mexico produces morado (grapish purple) opals. Most of the fire opals mined in Mexico could be considered “common” as color play is of lesser quality by in large. The best color play I have seen personally has been within the Ethiopian and Australian varieties. I have some experience with Mexican Cantera opals. They do have their own charm.

One thing to be on the lookout for are “galaxy” opals. Within different selling venues, these are offered without a great deal of transparency (based upon an assumption of the uninformed consumer). This can be an aggravating issue as they look entirely different in a side by side comparison.

“Galaxy Opal” is a term used to describe an opal with color play of unknown origin. The issue with them is that they’re sold “within maxtrix.” To the unfamiliar, this means “stuck inside a rock mixture of unknown origin.” There are “grayish” ones could be concrete given the look. This is based upon my present knowledge, some industry experience (two years), personal research, college classes that taught about crystalline structures, and a little attention to “jargon.”

To summarize, the varieties aren’t equivalent. Be careful about your suppliers. Are they transparent? Do they work ethically (and have information and photographs to back this up?). I dislike the jaded tone here, but I have had negative experiences. I would rather others not share that experience!

My advice:

Advocate for yourself. Research and use the best sources, if using the internet. Wikipedia not your solution. Why? Sometimes people enjoy adding nonsense to these pages for fun. There may be nerds that go back and correct these, but this isn’t where you find peer reviewed scientific articles or professional journals. Mining, geology, the USGS website and Pubchem are decent sources. I used the latter when taking my CHM 152 class, among others. Having an obsession with Chemistry and Mathematics are a plus here. Having an English 112 and Ethics class under your belt are also helpful. Both were wonderful resources on finding “evidence based support” for grounded, non-biased information. I feel grateful for the opportinity to experience those classes. They let me practice finding sources and how to frame a sound argument.

You can do the same. Learning for the sake of knowledge can be an interesting pastime. Learning is an activity one can enjoy over a life time. What makes you nerd?!

**Photos coming soon**

Bibliographic Sources:

1) Mindat.org

2)https://geology.com/gemstones/opal/common-opal.shtml

3) USGS Survey

Ruby in Zoisite vs. Ruby in Fuchite:

Know your Stones OR find someone that knows them! These lovely loves are breakable! Nerdy fans of geology, science and research are happy to help (hint Me!).

Whether one works with specimens in a geological aspect, as a vendor or as an artisan jeweler, misidentifying this one will cost you. Why? Well, if you are confusing two stones (animal, mineral, vegetable) that have extrenely different mohs hardness ratings you could be screwed. You don’t need a “certified gemologist” to advise you. Find a rock hound, general science and geology nerd. I’m certain that if wr don’t know initially that we can find the information you need! If other nerds are like me? Then they enjoy research (and yes, I truly do!).

Why is this important?

Ruby in fuchite has a mohs hardness rating of 2-3 whereas ruby in zoisite has a rating of 6.2 at least according to geology.com (King).

How does one know for sure what they have?

With ruby in fuchite, the rubies have a blue kyanite rim. It is fairly easy to notice (see provided image). While the coloring of either piece can be green in hue, the kyanite rim for ruby is a major tell.

Ruby in Fuchite Specimen: Please note the lighter tone. When you look at the reddish pink areas you may note the presence of kyanite blue

What to do with a ruby in fuchite?

I would recommend that you make a bezel setting as an artisan jeweler. If you keep it as a specimen I suggest just keeping it with much care (please don’t drop or you will break).

For ruby in zoicite, with a 6.2 mohrs rating, you are fairly safe. If you intend on setting this into a ring (for the artisan) let me suggest a good base for your setting. This is no quartz or diamond (hardest and tightest crystalline lattice structures) yet it is not as hard as those just mentioned. I feel like it’s better to be safe in your settings. Wishing you all the best in your stem chem or gem ventures!

Ruby in Zoisite Cabochon. Please note the black horneblende crystals that can be seen on either side of the ruby amidst the deeper green

Bibliography:

1). King, Hobart M. PHD, RPG. “Fuchite and Ruby in Fuchite.” 20 January 2020. https://geology.com/minerals/fuchsite.shtml

2)McC- Strickland, J. “Ruby in Fuschite.” Photography. Photos are property of writer and editor.

Closeup of “faked” aquamarine: If you look closely, notice the scratcch on the piece to the left. With the piece 2nd from the right you will notice the dye in crevices.

Before you buy the aquamarine you’ve admired pay close attention to details. How much is the asking price? It shouldn’t be less than $3-$5 per piece generally. It should not cost less than $6 for a package of nuggets.

Trust people who can give you the country of origin (or better yet, ask someone else for their contact. Networking is part of the battle. You’re better able to avoid fakes when you are knowlegeable or a friend is. Items sold as aquamarine coming from China or abroad can be faked (as can multiple other crystals). My isssue arose from inexperience but it was a learning experience. I do not use that vendor because he couldn’t tell me enough about the crystals (and had sent those from the photo thinking they were legit.

From what I have seen on the market up until this point, some vendors may buy and resell products from China and other locales. This is not to say that all of their associated product is bad or that everyone is trying to swindle you. I have worked with vendors in other countries (small family owned businesses). However, building relationships based upon references (from other sellers) is the cheapest way to learn. It can become expensive if you avoid research beforehand.

By using my eyes, my gut, not 100% trusting people at their word – due to experience and a knowledge of the characteristics of gems and stones at a molecular level (gained through my College CHM 152 class) – and becoming someone who works to sell ethically sourced pieces. In order to do this, I have learned to do the research before making a decision (or get “bitten” when I do not do enough). With crystals and stones this has served me well. I have several small businesses that I trust, and research to back up what I have received. What are some facts on aquamarine?

Aquamarine is a variety of beryl. It is comprised of a beryllium and aluminum silicate (Be3Al2Si6O18). Those gemstones in the beryl family account for emeralds, morganite and aquamarine. One should know that aquamarine rates an 8 on the Mohr’s hardness scale. Diamonds are a 10 on the same scale (the hardest) so this is worth noting. What this means is that aquamarine should not easily scratch. Glass however is rated 5.5 on the same scale and scratches far more easily. Glass doesn’t just have a scratch test issue.

Glass can be dyed blue to seem like Aquamarine in images. Be on the lookout for other lower grade gems and semi-precious stones that could be dyed – perhaps snowy quartz. Some pieces may be blue and shiny yet when mingled with other small nuggets of glass look like what one may traditionally think of as aquamarine. In thinking of this I relate it to a glimmering nugget of calcite. “The impossibly blue (often heat – treated aquamarine) can look similar to blue topaz. It’s worth a google.

Finally, an additional concern that I personally have due to pieces I received from a seller thar I believe was buying from a non reputable vendor (I would not have bought, once again had I researched, or taken additional time). I have this concern due to the way several pieces I now own appear on the bottom. It looks as if it could be resin. I have also seen resin molds in an obelisk shape.

I believe resin and orgone could be used to look like aquamarine along with other gems and semi-precious stones. This I cannot offer evidentiary support on because I don’t own a mass spectrometer. These wonderful instruments can tell the atomic mass of a specimen and therefore identify it. I cannot show evidentiary support yet because even though I have used the equipment (fascinating but expensive) I do not own one. I did however have the joy of using the chemistry lab equipment to consider the atomic mass of a given specimen. We had to identify an unknown based on the atomic mass found. My jeweler’s loupe is unable to do that. However I may be onto a piece of equipment that could assist otherwise. I will share more once I have more information gathered.

In conclusion one should be well informed. Continual learning keeps one sharp. Watch out for “nuggets” because what is pictured may not end up being what you think it is. Know the tests to try but also have a decent understanding of gems, minerals and stones, or at least very good sources. With crystals as it is in life, things are not always as they seem. While we do not have mass spectrometers, we can use all resources at our disposal in order to make well informed decisions. This will save a person money in the long run and much annoyance.

Image of “faked” aquamarine on notebook paper (similar to the ad I saw).

Image of a real Aquamarine. Image credit goes to the seller – Chez. These are tumbles. Notice they aren’t visually “too perfect” on inspection as the tones differentiate a bit. This is what non heat-treated aquamarine should look like albeit there can be more differentiation in tone. These were bought from a known vendor who I thought to check with today. 5 of these so far are on way to me!