Nepheline Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

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.

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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