Nepheline Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
A variety called elaeolite is red, green, brown, or gray, massive or in crystals filled with minute inclusions. These inclusions produce a sheen that yields a catseye effect in cabochons. Facetable nepheline is a great rarity, and very few gems have been cut, always in the 1-2 carat range or smaller.
Optics:o = 1.529-1.546; e= 1.526-1.542.
Uniaxial (-).
Occurrence: Plutonic and volcanic rocks; pegmatites associated with nepheline syenites.
Julienhaab district, Greenland; Langesundsfford, Norway;
China; Germany; Finland; Russia;Myanmar; North Korea; South Korea.
Various localities in the United States, especially Maine and Arkansas.
Ontario, Canada: crystals up to 15 inches long (non-gemmy).
Vesuvius, Italy: small, glassy transparent grains.
Comments: A variety called elaeolite is red, green, brown, or gray, massive or in crystals filled with minute inclusions. These inclusions produce a sheen that yields a catseye effect in cabochons. Facetable nepheline is a great rarity, and very few gems have been cut, always in the 1-2 carat range or smaller.
Name: From a Latin word meaning cloud because it becomes cloudy when immersed in acid. Elaeolite is from a Latin Word for oil because of its greasy luster.
