Samarskite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
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 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.
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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