Bayldonite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

By Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK (BayldoniteUploaded by tm) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Bayldonite

Bayldonite is a nondescript greenish material that has been cut into cabochons by enterprising collectors of the unusual. Cut bayldonites are a rarity, nonetheless, and are seldom seen in collections. The luster of cabochons is sometimes almost metallic and provides a curious appearance to the cut stones. Bayldonite provides a curious appearance to the cut stones. Bayldonite is compact but too soft for rings; it could be worm in bola ties and pendants.

Bayldonite Information

Data Value
Name Bayldonite
Colors Various shades of yellowish green.
Crystallography Monoclinic. Fibrous concretions; massive, granular.
Refractive Index 1.95-1.99
Luster Resinous. Cabochons may appear almost metallic.
Hardness 4.5
Fracture Conchoidal to irregular
Specific Gravity 5.5
Birefringence 0.004
Cleavage Not observed
Dispersion No data.
Stone Sizes Cabochons only for massive, fibrous material from Tsumeb.
Luminescence None
Luminescence Present No
Transparency Translucent to transparent.
Absorption Spectrum Not diagnostic.
Formula

(Pb, Cu)3 (AsO4)2(OH)2
Pleochroism

No data.
Optics

α = 1.95; β = 1.97 γ = 1.99. Biaxial (+), 2V large.
Optic Sign Biaxial +

OPTICS: α = 1.95; β = 1.97 γ = 1.99

Biaxial (+), 2V large

OCCURRENCE: Secondary mineral in Pb-Cu deposits.

England; France.

Tsumeb, Namibia: only major occurrence

COMMENTS: Bayldonite is a nondescript greenish material that has been cut into cabochons by enterprising collectors of the unusual. Cut bayldonites are a rarity, nonetheless, and are seldom seen in collections. The luster of cabochons is sometimes almost metallic and provides a curious appearance to the cut stones. Bayldonite provides a curious appearance to the cut stones. Bayldonite is compact but too soft for rings; it could be worm in bola ties and pendants.

NAME: After Mr. John Bayldon.

by Joel E. Arem, Ph.D., FGA