Fergusonite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
This mineral is not abundant and is known from various localities. Cabochons are cut merely as curiosities, as they have no special features that would recommend them except rarity. There are reports of transparent grains or parts of crystals that have been cut by collectors, but these are merely curiosities and are seldom encountered.
This mineral is not abundant and is known from various localities. Cabochons are cut merely as curiosities, as they have no special features that would recommend them except rarity. There are reports of transparent grains or parts of crystals that have been cut by collectors, but these are merely curiosities and are seldom encountered.
Series to Formanite YTaO4.
Streak: Greenish gray, yellowish brown, brown.
Optics: Isotropic due to metamictization. N= 2.05-2.19 (mean), variable.
Occurrence: Granite pegmatites rich in rare earths.
California; North Carolina; Virginia; Texas: Massachusetts; Norway; USSR; Ytterby, Sweden; East Africa; Zimbabwe; Madagascar
Formanite is from Western Australia.
Comments: This mineral is not abundant and is known from various localities. Cabochons are cut merely as curiosities, as they have no special features that would recommend them except rarity. There are reports of transparent grains or parts of crystals that have been cut by collectors, but these are merely curiosities and are seldom encountered.
Name: After Robert Ferguson, a Scottish physician.
Joel E. Arem, Ph.D., FGA
Dr. Joel E. Arem has more than 60 years of experience in the world of gems and minerals. After obtaining his Ph.D. in Mineralogy from Harvard University, he has published numerous books that are still among the most widely used references and guidebooks on crystals, gems and minerals in the world.
Co-founder and President of numerous organizations, Dr. Arem has enjoyed a lifelong career in mineralogy and gemology. He has been a Smithsonian scientist and Curator, a consultant to many well-known companies and institutions, and a prolific author and speaker. Although his main activities have been as a gem cutter and dealer, his focus has always been education. joelarem.com
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