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CHALCEDONY see QUARTZ |
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CHRYSOCOLLA Hydrous copper silicate CuSiO 2H O Hardness 2-4 |
| Crysocolla is found in the oxidized
zone of copper deposits, usually in arid climates. It occurs
widely in the southwestern United States. It is also found in Africa,
Chile and Russia. Although it is a soft stone, it often has enough
quartz to take a polish. Sometimes chrysocolla stains chalcedony
making an attractive durable stone that will take a polish.
The name comes from the Greek "chrysos" (golden) and
"colla" (glue). This is a term used by Greeks for a
material used to solder metals. |
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CHRYSOPRASE Silicone Dioxide SiO Hardness 7 |
| Chrysoprase is a type of chalcedony. It is
made of microscopic quartz crystals. The green color is due to nickel silicate.
The name comes from the Greek "chrysos" (golden) and
"prase" (leek). According to an 11th century Byzantine
manuscript, it was believed to strengthen vision and relieve
internal pain. Chrysoprase was popular in the Victorian era.
It is found in the Urals, California, Brazil and Austraslia. |
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CITRINE Silicon Dioxide SiO Hardness 7 |
| Citrine is quartz crystal. Its yellow color is due to iron.
Brazil is the primary source of citrine. |
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CUPRITE Cuprous Oxide CuO |
| Cuprite is a secondary ore of copper. It forms near
the surface during oxidation of copper sulfide bodies due to
weathering. It is found mostly in desert country such as the
southwestern United States. |
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GARNET Aluminum Silicate Fe Al Si O (Almadine) Mg Al Si O (Pyrope) Hardness 6.5-7.5 |
| Garnet has been known since ancient times. Once called carbuncle,
it was thought to protect against fevers. The name garnet comes from the Latin
"granatum" or pomegranate, due to its color and seedlike
formation. It was popular during the Victorian era, when Bohemia
was a major source of the stone. Garnet comes in many varieties,
almadine being the most common. Almadine is found in Sri Lanka,
India, Brazil, Alaska, Africa and Madagascar. Pyrope garnet is found
South Africa, the southwest United States, Russia, Brazil, Australia
and Bohemia. Rhodolite garnet has a composition that falls between
pyrope and almadine. Other garnets - uvarovite, grossularite and
andradite - are calcium silicates. |
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