Difference between revisions of "Siderite"

From The Gemology Project
Jump to: navigation, search
(addition from Chaman Golecha (id:94))
 
(added image and properties table)
Line 1: Line 1:
 +
{{siderite}}
 +
 +
[[Image:Sideritemm2.jpg|thumb|left|300px|A rare faceted siderite. Notice the, easily visible, doubling of facet edges.<br />Photo by Chaman Golecha, Gem Testing Laboratory, Jaipur]]
 +
<br clear="left" />
 +
 
==Crystallography==
 
==Crystallography==
 
Trigonal system.<br />
 
Trigonal system.<br />
Line 9: Line 14:
 
==Diagnostics==
 
==Diagnostics==
  
This stone is too soft to be cut and so rarely faceted as a gemstone. As it is a carbonate, it would give effervescence (bubbling) when in contact with acids; strong eye visible doubling due to the high birefringence.
+
This stone is too soft to be cut and is hence rarely faceted as a gemstone. As it is a carbonate, it would give effervescence (bubbling) when in contact with acids; strong eye visible doubling due to the high birefringence.
  
 
===Color===
 
===Color===

Revision as of 12:45, 15 September 2007

Siderite
Chemical composition FeCO3
Crystal system Trigonal
Habit Rhombohedrons, ganular, oolites
Cleavage Perfect, rhombohedral {101}
Fracture
Hardness 3.5 - 4.5
Optic nature Uniaxial -
Refractive index 1.633 - 1.875
Birefringence 0.240
Dispersion
Specific gravity 3.83-3.88 (upto 3.96)
Lustre Vitreous, pearly, silky or dull
Pleochroism
A rare faceted siderite. Notice the, easily visible, doubling of facet edges.
Photo by Chaman Golecha, Gem Testing Laboratory, Jaipur


Crystallography

Trigonal system.
Habit: rhomb shaped; massive; granular; globular; oolitic

Chemical composition

FeCO3 - iron carbonate.
Siderite belongs to the calcite group and forms series with rhodochrosite and magnesite.

Diagnostics

This stone is too soft to be cut and is hence rarely faceted as a gemstone. As it is a carbonate, it would give effervescence (bubbling) when in contact with acids; strong eye visible doubling due to the high birefringence.

Color

Pistaschio brown (gem); Also pale yellowsih brown; pale yellowish; pale green; greenish gray; grayish brown; reddish brown; blackish brown; rarely almost colourless; also massive.

Diaphaneity

Transparent to opaque.

Specific gravity

S.G.: 3.83-3.88 (upto 3.96), siderite will sink in all common heavy liquids.

Refractometer

Optic nature: birefringent, uniaxial negative.
Refractive index: nω = 1.875, nε = 1.633.
Maximum birefringence: 0.240.

Spectrum

Not very characteristic; band at 530, 500nm; vague at 440-480; strong 450, 475, 420 giving a cut-off like appearance.

Luminescence

UV fluorescence: generally inert.

Inclusions

Strong doubling of inclusions and pavillion facet edges due to very high birefringence.

Occurence

Geological occurrence:
A widespread mineral in sedimentary deposits; hydrothermal ore veins; also in pegmatites; basaltic rocks.

Geographical locations:
Pinasquevia, Portugal: brown fine transparent material; Also Colarado; Conectiut; Idaho; Austria; France; Germany; Italy; Brazil (large fine); Quebec, Canada (brown rhombs); Greenland (rich brown, gemmy in cryolite); England, Cornwall (transparent known as 'Chalybite').