Gaylussite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

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Gaylussite

This mineral is very hard to cut because of extreme softness and cleavage. Gaylussite dries out slowly in air and the surfaces may turn white. Stones in collections are therefore best stored in sealed containers to prevent dehydration. Gaylussite is seen only in very comprehensive collections, and relatively few stones have been cut. Transparent crystals are not terribly rare, but faceted gems are relatively uninteresting.

Gaylussite Information

Data	Value
Name	Gaylussite
Colors	Colorless, white, grayish, yellowish.
Hardness	2.5 - 3
Fracture	Conchoidal
Cleavage	Perfect 1 direction
Stone Sizes	Crystals from Searles Lake have been found up to 2 inches long. Gems cut from such crystals could be up to about 20-30 carats.
Formula	Na2Ca(CO3) ·5H2O
Crystallography	Monoclinic. Crystals elongated, flattened, and wedge-shaped.
Refractive Index	1.445-1.522
Birefringence	0.077
Luminescence	Weak cream white in SW (Nevada). May be triboluminescent.
Luminescence Present	Yes
Luminescence Type	Fluorescent, UV-Short
Absorption Spectrum	Not diagnostic.
Pleochroism	None.
Optics	a = 1.445; β = 1.516; γ = 1.522. Biaxial (-), 2V = 34°.
Optic Sign	Biaxial -
Luster	Vitreous.
Specific Gravity	1.995
Transparency	Transparent to translucent.

Optics: a = 1.445;β= 1.516; γ= 1.522.

Biaxial (-), 2V = 34°

Occurrence: In alkaline lakes or evaporite deposits rich in borax.

California: Searles Lake, Owens Lake, China Lake. Borax Lake.

Wyoming; Nevada.

Mongolia, China.

Venezuela: in clay beds.

Kenya: in transparent crystals, from Lake Amboseli.

Comments: This mineral is very hard to cut because of extreme softness and cleavage. Gaylussite dries out slowly in air and the surfaces may turn white. Stones in collections are therefore best stored in sealed containers to prevent dehydration. Gaylussite is seen only in very comprehensive collections, and relatively few stones have been cut. Transparent crystals are not terribly rare, but faceted gems are relatively uninteresting.

Name: After the eminent French chemist, Professor L. J. Gay-Lussac.