Villaumite

Villaumite
(From Russia. Weight: 0.32 carats total)
Image © supplied by Woodmansee* Gems

Villaumite History:

Villaumite is a rare mineral that was first discovered in 1851 by French mineralogist Henri-Victor Regnault. It was found in the Villau mine, located in the French Pyrenees, which is where the mineral gets its name from. The mineral was later described by French mineralogist Paul Ramdohr in 1853.

Villaumite Occurrence:

Villaumite is a rare mineral that is typically found in skarn deposits associated with contact metamorphism. It is a secondary mineral that forms through the alteration of primary minerals such as feldspar and biotite. Villaumite can also be found in hydrothermal veins and as an accessory mineral in some alkaline rocks. The mineral has been found in a few locations around the world including the type locality in the French Pyrenees, Russia, and the USA.

Villaumite Physical Properties:

Villaumite is a mineral that belongs to the pyroxene group. It is a monoclinic mineral with a white to yellowish color and a vitreous to sub-metallic luster. The mineral has a Mohs hardness of 5.5 to 6 and a specific gravity of 3.7 to 3.8. It is transparent to translucent and has a perfect cleavage in one direction.

Use of Villaumite as a gemstone:

Villaumite is not commonly used as a gemstone due to its rarity and lack of significant color or transparency. It is mainly collected by mineral enthusiasts and is considered a very rare mineral species. Some specimens of villaumite may be of good enough quality to be used as a gemstone, but they are highly sought after by collectors and are likely to be quite expensive.

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