Friedelite

Friedelite
(From New Jersey, USA. Weight: 0.49 carats)
Image © supplied by Woodmansee* Gems

The gemstones of Friedelite are extremely rare and hence few carats of Friedelite gemstones command prices which run into few hundreds of dollars. The Friedelite gemstones are also collected by experts and connoisseurs because of their rare coloring and extremely unusually colorful Luminescence properties under a UV light source.

Friedelite History & Etymology:

Friedelite was first discovered in 1876. Friedelite are considered to be grandfathered by the IMA. Friedelite derive their name from the Charles Friedel the famous French mineralogist and chemist.

Friedelite Occurrence:

Friedelite is extremely rare and occurs in just one locality in the world. Gem quality crystals of Friedelite are found only in New Jersey. However the locality of first discovery in Midi- Pyrenees in France also produces crystals of Friedelite.

Friedelite Properties:

Friedelite is composed of high percentages of manganese, iron and silicon. The dominant presence of silicon classifies the Friedelite mineral as silicates mineral. The Friedelite mineral hence belongs to the Pyrosmalit series. Friedelite display monoclinic prismatic properties and are found as monoclinic tablets in their natural formations. Friedelite in their natural formation also display pseudohexagonal which might also sometimes be hemimorphic.

The tablets of Friedelite mineral are at least 1 cm in size. Friedelite is also usually found as slender needles and sometimes as lamellar as well as fibrous aggregates. The aggregates can be massive, stalactitic and even cryptocrystalline. Twinning in Friedelite is universal and the crystals which exhibit twinning characteristics take on pseudorombohedral symmetry.

The cleavages on Friedelite are perfect with uneven fracturing thus making the Friedelite crystals extremely brittle. However the Moh’s hardness of the Friedelite crystals is between 5 and 5.5. Friedelite are not very dense with a density of approx 3 g/cm3. The Friedelite crystals do not display properties of luminescence and are neither radioactive.

Friedelite generally has pale pink coloring and also sometimes has pinkish red and dark red coloring. Reddish brown and dark brown colored crystals of Friedelite are extremely rare. The transparency of Friedelite ranges from translucent (due to inclusion) to completely transparent. The luster of Friedelite hence also varies from vitreous on the facets to a pearly shine on the cleavages. The refractive index of the Friedelite crystals is between 1.63 and 1.66. Similarly the birefringence of Friedelite is at 0.03. Friedelite does not display any dispersion neither display properties of pleochroism.

Friedelite are generally found in manganese and iron deposits in metamorphosed rocks. Friedelite crystals were hence first discovered in Montagne d’Azet, Midi-Pyrenees, Aderville, Hautes-Pyrenees and Louron Valley in France. Subsequently Friedelite was also discovered in the manganese and iron deposits in New Jersey.

Gemstones of Friedelite have a beautiful and stunning sleepy red color which makes it one of the most sought after rare gemstones amongst the gemstones experts and connoisseurs across the world.

Friedelite [1]

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Sources Referenced:

[1]

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