Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0 [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Parisite
An overview on Parisite Jewelry and Gemstones. Covers details and essential information on the physical properties and characteristics of Parisite gemstones
Parisite Information
| Data | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Parisite |
| Colors | Brownish yellow, brown, grayish yellow. |
| Crystallography | Hexagonal; crystals double hexagonal pyramids, often steep, sometimes prismatic, striated; sometimes rhombohedral. |
| Refractive Index | 1.676-1.757 |
| Luster | Vitreous to resinous; pearly on basal cleavage surfaces. |
| Hardness | 4.5 |
| Fracture | Subconchoidal to splintery |
| Specific Gravity | 4.36 |
| Birefringence | 0.081 |
| Cleavage | Distinct basal parting or cleavage; perhaps due to alteration |
| Stone Sizes | Parisite is a rare mineral, and crystals are usually very small. Tiny faceted stones (all under 1 carat) have been cut from Montana material. |
| Luminescence | Not reported. |
| Luminescence Present | No |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent |
| Absorption Spectrum | Not diagnostic. |
| Phenomena | Asterism (rare) |
| Formula |
Ca(Ce,La)2(CO3)3F2. |
| Pleochroism |
Weak. |
| Optics |
o = 1.676; e = 1.757. Uniaxial (+). |
| Optic Sign | Uniaxial + |
Optics: o=1.676; e= 1.757.
Uniaxial (+).
Occurrence: In carbonaceous shale beds in the emerald deposits of Muzo, Colombia: also as typical inclusions in emerald crystals. Also in alkali pegmatites in Norway.
Muzo, Colombia.
Langesundsfford, Norway.
Italy; Madagascar; Manchuria.
Quincy, Massachusetts: Ravalli County, Montana.
Name: After J. J. Paris, proprietor of the mine at Muzo where the mineral was first discovered.
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