Nuummite slabs :22033

Description

Nuummit slabs
Grams 152
59 x 43 x 24mm
Arthoamphibole group: anthophyllite and gedrite. The name nuummite is derived from the Municipality of Nuuk, where the stone was discovered in 1982. It has since been found in several localities in the outer part of the Godthabsfjord near Nuuk. Geologically speaking, nuummite is of volcanic origin and was formed about 3 billion years ago - making it one of the oldest gemstones on earth (but not the oldest - see Greenlandite for that honor). Subsequent influences on the rock (metamorphism) have given rise to the striking mixture of crystals which gives nuummite its unique appearance. Rocks resembling nuummite are also found in a few minor occurrences in the USA, but it is only in the Greenland type that coloration is developed well enough for the stone to be suitable for gemstones. Nuummite is generally easy to polish (hardness 5 1/2 - 6), even though, in certain qualities of stones with many parallel crystals, it can be difficult to avoid holes and cracks. The usual shape is cabochon, but other convex finishes also produce pleasing results. In larger pieces it is possible to retain most of the colors of the iridescence, so that one end of the cabochon has a golden hue while the opposite end has a bluish tone. Nuummite is well suited to mounting in both gold and silver