Samarskite
Samarskite is a very heavy material from which lustrous black to brownish cabochons are sometimes cut as curiosities. The material is rather brittle and is not intended for wear. It is rarely seen or displayed since black stones are not terribly attractive. Sometimes a stone is faceted in the nature of jet or marcasite.
SAMARSKITE See also: Euxenite, Fergusonite.
Samarskite Information
Streak: Black to reddish brown.
Optics: Isotropic; N = 2.20 (variable).
Isotropic nature caused by metamictization.
Occurrence: A widespread pegmatite mineral.
North Carolina; Colorado.
USSR; Norway; Madagascar; Zaire; Japan; Minas Gerais, Brazil; Madras. India.
Comments: Samarskite is a very heavy material from which lustrous black to brownish cabochons are sometimes cut as curiosities. The material is rather brittle and is not intended for wear. It is rarely seen or displayed since black stones are not terribly attractive. Sometimes a stone is faceted in the nature of jet or marcasite.
Name: ln honor of Colonel Samarski, a Russian mining official.