Gaspeite 30.25 ctw Cabochon Natural Apple Green USA produced- Origin Australia
“Gaspeite is a rare mineral, found in only a few places. Named after its original location of discovery (the Gaspé Peninsula of Quebec, Canada), gaspeite is a bright yellow to apple green color with brownish veining. It was originally considered only a gangue mineral--a stone which contains a metal ore in its makeup, but that metal cannot be viably extracted from it.
Visually, gaspeite is similar to dyed forms of magnesite (which is a related gemstone material), but its density is higher (similar to that of garnet) as is its hardness (closer to that of apatite). It is most commonly shaped into cabochons and other larger stones.
Gaspeite has been traditionally used among Australian Aboriginal peoples as a vision stone. It is believed to also have powerful healing abilities and to aid in weight loss. It is affiliated with the heart and solar plexus chakras.
Discovered in 1977, gaspeite is one of the newer gemstones on the market. The presence of gaspeite indicates to the mining community the area contains nickel-rich minerals. Artistically, this brittle stone displays perfect cleavage in three directions, making it easy to cut--and also sensitive to impact.
Other than the original deposit in Quebec, gaspeite can be found in Australia, Greece, Italy, South Africa and the state of New Mexico in the United States.
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Mineral Information |
Carbonate of nickel, magnesium and iron |
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Chemical Composition |
(Ni,Mg,Fe)CO3 |
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Color |
Pale to bright yellowish green or apple green |
|
Hardness |
4-1/2 to 5 (Mohs) |
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Specific Gravity |
3.70 |
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Refractive Index |
1.61 - 1.81 |
Gaspeite is part of the calcite group and, like other carbonates, is sensitive to impact and acids. Although higher on the Mohs Hardness Scale than other carbonates, gaspeite is also a brittle, easy to cleave stone. It should be treated with the same care as apatite or opal.
As most dust is quartz-based particles, simply wiping this stone can cause scratches. Use a damp cloth to pat the stone to first clean and then dry it. Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners, as well as bleach or other household chemicals. Remove jewelry containing this stone before perspiring. Wrap in a soft cloth or fabric-lined box to store.
This stone's softness and sensitivity to impacts make it best showcased in earrings, brooches and shorter necklaces. A number of techniques can be used to prolong the life of gaspeite, including stringing on silk thread, knotting between beads or using bead caps or stringing with similarly soft materials such as opals, pearls, malachite and turquoise. It can also be set into tall bezels that will protect the stone.
Gaspeite is a commonly apple-green semi-precious gemstone beloved for intricate carvings. It has brown veining or splotches, making it resemble green turquoise.
As a turquoise simulant, gaspeite can substitute in place of this traditional December birthstone. Those born under Virgo are graced with a gaspeite zodiac stone.
One trade name for gaspeite is “Allura,” though it’s not common.
Some stones in a series with gaspeite (discussed next) often have trade names with “lemon” or “citron” before “magnesite” or “chrysoprase” — though chrysoprase is a separate stone.
Besides ornamental and gemstone uses, gaspeite is a minor source of nickel.
Gaspeite Specifications & Characteristics
The mineral gaspeite is a nickel carbonate (NiCO3). However, the more accurate chemical formula is (Ni,Mg,Fe)CO3, as it’s almost always found with magnesium and iron replacing part of its nickel content.
Gaspeite is in the calcite mineral group, which encompasses similar carbonates that form a solid solution series — meaning they share the same crystal system and base formula, but each one has different elements substituted in their individual formula.
In the entire calcite solution series, gaspeite represents the nickel-rich portion.
Magnesite (magnesium carbonate) is closely related, forming a smaller solution series with gaspeite and siderite (iron carbonate). Minerals with varied amounts of these elements are “intermediate” members and make popular jewelry stones.
Here are all the gaspeite properties:
The specifications between crystals and masses in the list above has to do with the various forms gaspeite can take.
Composition of Gaspeite
The idealized composition of gaspeite is NiCO3. However, it often contains variable amounts of magnesium and iron, which can substitute for nickel in solid solution. Thus, the material called "gaspeite" is often a nickel-magnesium-iron carbonate with a composition of (Ni,Mg,Fe)CO3. [1]
A solid solution series exists between magnesite (MgCO3) and gaspeite (NiCO3). Intermediate materials from the series are sometimes seen as tumbled stones, cabochons and inlay materials. How should the members of this solid solution series be named? If the amount of MgCO3 exceeds the amount of NiCO3, then use of the name "magnesite" is proper. The name "gaspeite" is proper if NiCO3 exceeds MgCO3.
These intermediate materials are often marketed using names such as "lemon chrysoprase", "lemon magnesite", "citron chrysoprase" or "citron magnesite". Use of the name "chrysoprase" is usually incorrect, although some specimens are moderately silicified.
Geologic Occurrence
Gaspeite occurs as a secondary mineral where nearby rocks serve as an abundant source of nickel. It is often found where ultramafic igneous rocks have been weathered or where they have been altered by hydrothermal metamorphism. All significant occurrences have been found in Western Australia and Quebec, Canada. Minor occurrences are known from Japan and South Africa.
Magnesite and Gaspeite: Three cabochons in the magnesite-gaspeite sequence. The cab on the left is magnesite, the cab on the right is gaspeite, and the cab in the center has an intermediate composition.
Identification of Gaspeite
The first clue to identifying gaspeite is its yellowish green to bright green color. It will also produce a weak effervescence with dilute (5%) hydrochloric acid. Producing effervescence often requires testing of the mineral’s powder. It is easy to produce a powder by scraping the specimen across a streak plate, applying the acid to the streak, and checking for effervescence with a hand lens.
The best low-budget testing is done with a refractometer.”
Gaspeite 30.25 ctw Cabochon Natural Apple Green USA produced- Origin Australia
weight : 30.25
Dimensions- pictured
weight: 30.25
Gaspeite cut and polished cabochon domestic USA local artist metalsmith, leather and stone artist, jewelry creator, gems and minerals expertise and my most respected mentor from IEdesigned
color : strong apple bright greens, natural mined gaspeite out of Australia, Procured in rough and locally cut and finished cabs in the states by a local artist , mentor and teacher of mine.
Pictured Cab was cut and polished by IEdesigned. - Tennessee, USA domestic production
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