Commonly known      rarer (so called collectors stones)      very rare (rarities)      extremely rare (world rarities)
relatively rare organic material

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Formula Albite: Na[AlSi3O8] Albiet, Albiit, Albiitti, Albit, Albita, Albitas, Albīts, Albitt, Альбит, 曹長石, אלביט, 钠长石 Mineral class: silicates Crystal system: triclinic Mohs scale: 6 - 6.5 Density (g/cm3): 2.6 - 2.65 Cleavage: different Colors: white, grey, blueish, greenish, reddish Luster: vitreous, pearly on cleavages Transparency: transparent, translucent Fluorescence: - Pleochroism: - Largest Albite crystal: 3 cm? Deposits: worldwide Discovery: 1815 1st description: 1892

Albite Mineral Size: 2.4 x 1.7 x 1.1 cm Origin: Chisone Valley / Torino Prov. / Piedmont / Italy Photo by kind permission of © www.irocks.com, Dr. Robert Lavinsky.

Albite Mineral Size of the crystal: 1.5 x 1.0 x 0.4 cm Origin: San Piero in Campo / Elba / Prov. Livorno / Tuscany / Italy Photo by kind permission of © www.minrec.org/artwork, Sarah Sudcowsky.

Albite Mineral Size of the crystal: 3 mm Origin: Simpson Quarry / South Glastonbury / Hartford County / Connecticut / USA Photo by kind permission of © Peter Cristofono.

Albite Cat's Eye Weight: 2.99 ct Origin: Sakangyi pegmatite / W of Mogok / Myanmar Photo by kind permission of © www.crystal-treasure.com, Sieghard Ellenberger.

Formula Amazonite: K[AlSi3O8] Amasoniit, Amazoniet, Amazonit, Amazonita, Amazonitas, Amazonsten, Амазонит, 天河石手串, 天河石 Mineral class: silicates Crystal system: triclinic Mohs scale: 6 - 6.5 Density (g/cm3): 2.56 - 2.58 Colors: greenish, blue Fluorescence: slightly greenish Pleochroism: - Largest faceted Amazonite: 53 ct Deposits: Brazil, India, Madagascar, Namibia, Russia, USA

Amazonite Mineral Origin: Tree Root Pocket / Two Point Claim / Teller County / Colorado / USA Photo by kind permission of © www.exceptionalminerals.com, Kevin Ward.

Amazonite Origin: Colorado / USA Photo by kind permission of © www.irocks.com, Dr. Robert Lavinsky.

Amazonite Weight: 27.35 ct Origin: Santo / Minas Gerais / Brazil Photo by kind permission of © www.gemfrance.com, Dr. Laurent Sikirdji.

Amazonite Weight: 0.36 ct Origin: Afghanistan Photo by kind permission of © www.irocks.com, Dr. Robert Lavinsky.

Amazonite Mineral Size: 4.9 x 4.0 x 3.7 cm Origin: Amar Hills / Konso / Sidamo Prov. / Ethiopia Photo by kind permission of © www.kristallplanet.de, Holger Andres.

Amazonite Mineral Size: 8.3 x 6.9 x 3.3 cm Origin: Wenshan / Yunnan / China Photo by kind permission of © www.irocks.com, Dr. Robert Lavinsky.

Amazonite Weight: 72.50 ct Origin: South Africa Photo by kind permission of © www.ridderborg.se, Simon Ridderborg.

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Formula Andesine: (Na,Ca)(Si,Al)4O8 Andesien, Andesina, Andesine, Andezin, Andezinas, Andezīns, Andezyn, Андезин, אנדסין, 안데신, 中性長石 Mineral class: silicates Kristallsystem: triclinic Mohs scale: 6 - 6.5 Density /g/cm3: 2.61 - 2.76 Cleavage: perfect - less perfect Colors: colorless, grey, orange, rose, red, yellow-green, green, blue Luster: subvitreous - pearly Fluorescence: - Pleochroism: - Largest faceted Andesine: 33.42 ct Deposits: worldwide 1st Description: 1892

Andesine Weight: 2.32 ct Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo Photo by kind permission of © www.gemfrance.com, Dr. Laurent Sikirdji.

Andesine Weight: 2.67 ct Origin: Tibet Photo by kind permission of © www.irocks.com, Dr. Robert Lavinsky.

Andesine Weight: 1.42 ct Origin: Tibet Photo by kind permission of © www.irocks.com, Dr. Robert Lavinsky.

Andesine Weight: 6.62 ct Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo Photo by kind permission of © www.gemfrance.com, Dr. Laurent Sikirdji.

Andesine Weight: 0.73 ct Origin: Congo or Tibet Photo by kind permission of © www.irocks.com, Dr. Robert Lavinsky.

Andesine Weight: 2.35 ct Origin: Tibet Photo by kind permission of © www.irocks.com, Dr. Robert Lavinsky.

Andesine Weight: 2.89 ct Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo Photo by kind permission of © www.gemfrance.com, Dr. Laurent Sikirdji.

Andesine Weight: 0.7 ct Origin: Tibet Photo by kind permission of © www.irocks.com, Dr. Robert Lavinsky.

Formula Bytownite: (Ca,Na)(Si,Al)4O8 Bitovnitas, Bütauniit, Bytowniet, Bytownit, Bytownita, Bytownity, Битовнит, בייטאוניט, 亜灰長石, 바이토우나이트 Mineral class: silicates Crystal system: triclinic Mohs scale: 6 - 6.5 Density (g/cm3): 2.7 - 2.72 Cleavage: different Colors: colorless, white, grey, yellowish Luster: vitreous Fluorescence: - Pleochroism: - Largest Bytownite: 3 cm? Deposits: worldwide Discovery: 1835 1st Description: 1892

Bytownite Mineral Origin: Ottawa / Carleton County / Ontario / Canada Photo by kind permission of © António Manuel Ináçio Martins.

Bytownite Weight: 14.73 ct Origin: Mexico Photo by kind permission of © www.gemfrance.com, Dr. Laurent Sikirdji.

Bytownite Weight: 1.94 ct Origin: Mexico Photo by kind permission of © www.online-edelstein.de, Timo Klopp.

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Hauyne is one of the rarest and most expensive gemstones, named after the French mineralogist René Just Haüy (1743 - 1822). Formula Hauyne: (Na,Ca)4-8Al6Si6(O,S)24(SO4,Cl)1-2 Hauyn, Haüyn, Hauyniitti, Haüyn, Haüyne, Гаюїн, 藍方石 Mineral class: silicates Crystal system: isometric Mohs scale: 5 - 6 Density (g/cm3): 2.4 - 2.5 Cleavage: distinct Colors: colorless, blue in variations, greenish-blue, yellowish - reddish (very rare)   color sequence Luster: vitreous - resinous Fluorescence: LW: sometimes yellow-orange; SW: sometimes rose to orange Pleochroism: - Largest rough Hauyne: 89 ct, 3 cm? Largest faceted Hauyne: 7.5 ct Deposits: Eifel Mountains / Germany, Afghanistan, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Ecuador, France, Greenland, Guinea, Italy, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Tahiti, USA 1st Description: 1807 History: • Hauyne was discovered in 1807 by the French mineralogist R.J. Haüy (1743-1822) at the Monte Somma (Vesuv / Italy). • First Description: Brunn-Neergard, 1807. • "Early 1973 the semi precious stones cutter Philip Hobein from Kirschweiler near Idar Oberstein (Germany) found some blue crystals behind the restaurant "Laacher Mühle" *. These crystals called his interest. In his workshop he faceted these xenomorphic crystals. The result was the birth of a new precious stone of sapphire-blue color and very good transparency - the mineral Hauyne." (Source: www.geoberg.de) * "Laacher Mühle" is located near Mendig / Eifel Mountains / Germany.

Hauyne Mineral Origin: Eifel Mts. / Germany Photo by kind permission of © Kristina Waz.

Hauyne Origin: Eifel Mts. / Germany Photo by kind permission of © Kristina Waz.

Hauyne Mineral Origin: Eifel Mts. / Germany Photo by kind permission of © www.hauynwelt.de, K.H. Waz.

Hauyne Weight: 0.15 ct Origin: Eifel Mts./ Germany Photo by kind permission of © www.irocks.com, Dr. Robert Lavinsky.

Hauyne Origin: Eifel Mts. / Germany Photo by kind permission of © Kristina Waz.

Hauyne Mineral Origin: Eifel Mts. / Germany Photo by kind permission of © Kristina Waz.

Hauyne Origin: Eifel Mts. / Germany Photo by kind permission of © Kristina Waz.

Hauyne Origin: Eifel Mts. / Germany Photo by kind permission of © Kristina Waz.

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Formula Labradorite: Na[AlSi3O8]Ca[Al2Si2O8] Labradoriet, Labradoriitti, Labradorita, Labradoritas, Labradorite, Labradorīts, Лабрадорит, 래브라도라이트, ラブラドライト, 拉長石 Mineral class: silicates Crystal system: triclinic Mohs scale: 6 - 6.5 Density (g/cm3): 2.69 - 2.7 Cleavage: different Colors: varied Luster: vitreous Fluorescence: yellowish Pleochroism: - Largest Labradorite: 5 cm? Deposits: Canada, Madagascar, Mexico, Russia, USA 1st Description: 1892

Labradorite Mineral Origin: Finland Photo by kind permission of © www.mineraltivadar.fw.hu, Tivadar Pécsi.

Labradorite Weight: 6.31 ct Origin: Australia Photo by kind permission of © www.online-edelstein.de, Timo Klopp.

Labradorite Mineral Photo by kind permission of © www.theimage.com.

Labradorite Weight: 5.06 ct Origin: Australia Photo by kind permission of © www.online-edelstein.de, Timo Klopp.

Labradorite Mineral Origin: Ihosy / Madagascar Photo by kind permission of © www.TreasureMountainMining.com, Eric Greene.

Labradorite Weight: 78.54 ct Origin: Australia Photo by kind permission of © www.online-edelstein.de, Timo Klopp.

Labradorite Weight: 1.87 ct Origin: Madagascar Photo by kind permission of © www.irocks.com, Dr. Robert Lavinsky.

Labradorite Weight: 1.94 ct Origin: Orissa / India Photo by kind permission of © www.irocks.com, Dr. Robert Lavinsky.

Labradorite Weight: 0.30 ct Origin: Madagascar Photo by kind permission of © www.edelsteine.at, Thomas Pfneisl.

Labradorite Weight: 6.66 ct Origin: Madagascar Photo by kind permission of © www.edelsteine.at, Thomas Pfneisl.

Labradorite Weight: 6.14 ct Origin: Mexico Photo by kind permission of © www.edelsteine.at, Thomas Pfneisl.

Labradorite Photo by kind permission of © skywalker.cochise.edu, Roger Weller.

Labradorite Weight: 9.81 ct Origin: Sakangyi area / Mogok / Myanmar Photo by kind permission of © www.crystal-treasure.com, Sieghard Ellenberger.

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Formula Moonstone: K[AlSi3O8] Kuukivi, Mėnulio akmuo, Mondstein, Piedra de luna, Лунный камень, ムーンストーン, 月長石, سنگ ماه, אוליגוקלז Mineral class: silicates Crystal system: monoclinic Mohs scale: 6 - 6.5 Density (g/cm3): 2.56 - 2.62 Colors: colorless, yellowish, blueish Fluorescence: slightly blueish, orange Pleochroism: - Largest Moonstone: ? Deposits: Sri Lanka, Australia, Myanmar, Brazil, India, Madagascar, Tanzania, USA

Moonstone Mineral Size: 1.52 x 0.58 x 0.55 cm Origin: Sakangyi area / Mogok / Myanmar Photo by kind permission of © www.crystal-treasure.com, Sieghard Ellenberger.

Moonstone Mineral Origin: Brazil Photo by kind permission of © www.mineraltivadar.fw.hu, Tivadar Pécsi.

Moonstone Weight: 3.89 ct Origin: Myanmar Photo by kind permission of © www.gemfrance.com, Dr. Laurent Sikirdji.

Moonstone Weight: 2.25 ct Origin: Tanzania Photo by kind permission of © www.mainegemcutter.com, Evan Smith.

Neon Moonstone Mineral Origin: Tanzania Photo by kind permission of © www.mainegemcutter.com, Evan Smith.

Moonstone Weight: 1.55 ct Origin: India Photo by kind permission of © www.irocks.com, Dr. Robert Lavinsky.

Moonstone Weight: 1.85 ct Origin: Mogok / Myanmar Photo by kind permission of © www.americanthai.com, Scott Davies.

Moonstone Weight: 3.37 ct Origin: Bihar / India Photo by kind permission of © www.americanthai.com, Scott Davies.

Moonstone Weight: 7.13 ct Origin: India Photo by kind permission of © www.americanthai.com, Scott Davies.

Moonstone Weight: 39.19 ct Origin: India Photo by kind permission of © www.edelsteine.at, Wiener Edelsteinzentrum.

Moonstone Weight: 23.45 ct Origin: India Photo by kind permission of © www.edelsteine.at, Wiener Edelsteinzentrum.

Moonstone Weight: 16.37 ct Origin: India Photo by kind permission of © www.edelsteine.at, Wiener Edelsteinzentrum.

Moonstone Weight: 52.68 ct Origin: India Photo by kind permission of © www.edelsteine.at, Wiener Edelsteinzentrum.

Moonstone Cat's Eye Weight: 7.26 ct Origin: India Photo by kind permission of © www.thegemtrader.com, Brad Payne.

Moonstone Star Weight: 16.48 ct Origin: India Photo by kind permission of © www.edelsteine.at, Thomas Pfneisl.

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Formula Oligoclase: (Na,Ca)(Si,Al)4O8 Oligoclasa, Oligoclasita, Oligoklaas, Oligoklas, Oligoklaz, Oligoklazas, Oligoklāzs, の間を灰曹長石, 올리고클래이스, Олигоклаз Mineral class: silicates Crystal system: triclinic Mohs scale: 6 - 6.5 Density (g/cm3): 2.64 - 2.66 Cleavage: different Colors: colorless, grey, yellowish, brown, greenish Luster: vitreous - pearly Fluorescence: X-rays: orange, green Pleochroism: strong Largest Oligoclase: 6 cm? Deposits: worldwide 1st Description: 1892

Oligoclase Mineral Origin: Hawk Mine / Hawk-Bakersville / Spruce Pine Distr. / Mitchell Co. / North Carolina / USA Photo by kind permission of © www.irocks.com, Dr. Robert Lavinsky.

Oligoclase Weight:: 0.85 ct Origin:: Tanzania Photo by kind permission of © www.irocks.com, Dr. David Lavinsky.

Oligoclase Photo by kind permission of © www.multicolour.com, David Weinberg.

Oligoclase "Confetti" Weight:: 43.48 ct Origin:: Tanzania Photo by kind permission of © www.americanthai.com, Scott Davies.

Formula Orthoclase / Adularia: K(AlSi3O8) Orthoclase, Orthoklaas, Orthose, Ortoclasa, Ortoclase, Ortoclasio, Ortoklas, Ortoklaz, Ortoklāzs, Ortoklazų, Ортоклаз, 正長石, אורתוקלז Mineral class: silicates Crystal system: monoclinic Mohs scale: 6 - 6.5 Density (g/cm3): 2.56 Cleavage: very good Colors: colorless, whitish, grey-yellow, rose, green Luster: vitreous - pearly Fluorescence: - Pleochroism: - Largest Orthoclase: 20 cm? Deposits: worldwide 1st Description: 1892

Orthoclase Mineral Origin: Itrongay / Madagascar Photo by kind permission of © www.irocks.com, Dr. Robert Lavinsky.

Orthoclase Weight: 4.61 ct Origin: Sakangyi / near Mogok / Myanmar Photo by kind permission of © www.crystal-treasure.com, Sieghard Ellenberger.

Orthoclase Weight: 3,34 ct Origin: Madagascar Photo by kind permission of © www.irocks.com, Dr. Robert Lavinsky.

Orthoclase Weight: 33.87 ct Origin: Madagascar Photo by kind permission of © www.djraregems.com, John & Donna Rhoads.

Orthoclase Weight: 44.61 ct Origin: Madagascar Photo by kind permission of © www.gemfrance.com, Dr. Laurent Sikirdji.

Orthoclase Mineral Origin: Hrongay / Betroka Dep. / Horombe Region / Fianarantsoa Prov. / Madagascar Photo by kind permission of © www.mindat.org, Jolyon Ralph.

Orthoclase Weight: 69.15 ct Origin: Madagascar Photo by kind permission of © www.americanthai.com, Scott Davies.

Orthoclase "Adularia" Mineral Origin: Großvenediger Mt. / Hohe Tauern Mts. / Salzburg / Austria Photo by kind permission of © www.fabreminerals.com, Jordi Fabre.

Orthoclase "Adularia" Weight: 2.7 ct Origin: Austria Photo by kind permission of © www.irocks.com, Dr. Robert Lavinsky.

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Formula Peristerite: Na,Al,Si3O Peristerit, ペリステライト Mineral class: silicates Crystal system: triclinic Mohs scale: 6 - 6.5 Density (g/cm3): 2.6 Colors: whitish, brownish, blue iridescence Fluorescence: - Pleochroism: - Largest Peristerite: ? Deposits: Canada

Peristerite Mineral Size: 5 cm Origin: Chupa Bay Pegmatite / Korelia Rep. / Russia Photo by kind permission of © www.cs.cmu.edu/~adg/adg-piimages.html, Alan Guisewite.

Formula Sanidine: (K,Na)(Si,Al)4O8 Riacolita, Sanidiini, Sanidin, Sanidina, Sanidino, Sanidīns, サニディン, Санидин, 새니딘 Mineral class: silicates Crystal system: monoclinic Mohs scale: 6 - 6.5 Density (g/cm3): 2.55 Cleavage: perfect - distinct Colors: colorless, white, champagne Luster: vitreous Fluorescence: - Pleochroism: - Largest Sanidine: 50 cm? Deposits: worldwide 1st Description: 1892

Sanidine Mineral Size: Micromount Origin: Niveligsberg / Kelberg / Eifel Mts. / Rhineland-Palatinate / Germany Photo by kind permission of © Stephan Wolfsried.

Sanidine Weight: 1.42 ct Origin: Eifel Mts. / Germany Photo by kind permission of © www.gemfrance.com, Dr. Laurent Sikirdji.

Sanidine Weight: 2.01 ct Origin: Eifel Mts. / Germany Photo by kind permission of © www.gemfrance.com, Dr. Laurent Sikirdji.

Sanidine Weight: 11.01 ct Origin: Eifel Mts. / Germany Photo by kind permission of © www.irocks.com, Dr. Robert Lavinsky.

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Formula Sunstone: (K,Na)(Si,Al)4O8 Sonnenstein, 太陽石, サンストーン Mineral class: silicates Crystal system: triclinic Mohs scale: 6 - 6.5 Density (g/cm3): 2.64 - 2.66 Colors: reddish-orange, green, blue Fluorescence: - Pleochroism: - Largest Oregon Sunstone: 54 ct? Deposits: Canada, India, Russia, Sweden, Sri Lanka, USA History: • Already Pope Clemens VII. (1478 - 1534) should have possessed a Sunstone. • Indians in todays Oregon / USA exchanged Sunstone. • First description: Breithaupt, 1826 • In 1987 the Oregon Sunstone was declared official gem of the state Oregon. • Discovery of the "Massai Sunstone" in Tanzania in 2000, near Arusha. (Source: www.gemstv.de)

Sunstone Weight: 0.78 ct Origin: Plush / Oregon / USA Photo by kind permission of © www.irocks.com, Dr. Robert Lavinsky.

Sunstone "Confetti" Weight: 3.43 ct Origin: Tanzania Photo by kind permission of © www.thegemtrader.com, Brad Payne.

Sunstone Weight: 1.16 ct Origin: Plush / Oregon / USA Photo by kind permission of © www.irocks.com, Dr. Robert Lavinsky.

Sunstone Weight: 0.43 ct Origin: Plush / Oregon / USA Photo by kind permission of © www.irocks.com, Dr. Robert Lavinsky.

Sunstone Weight: 0.5 ct Origin: Plush / Oregon / USA Photo by kind permission of © www.irocks.com, Dr. Robert Lavinsky.

Sunstone Weight: 1.28 ct Origin: Plush / Oregon / USA Photo by kind permission of © www.irocks.com, Dr. Robert Lavinsky.

Sunstone Mineral Origin: Oregon Photo by kind permission of © http://skywalker.cochise.edu, Roger Weller.

Sunstone Weight: 2.80 ct Origin: Dust Devil Mine / Plush / Oregon / USA Photo by kind permission of © www.theimage.com.

Sunstone Weight: 0.41 ct Origin: Plush / Oregon / USA Photo by kind permission of © www.irocks.com, Dr. Robert Lavinsky.

Sunstone Mineral Origin: India Photo by kind permission of © www.mineraltivadar.fw.hu, Tivadar Pécsi.

Sunstone Weight: 2.45 ct Photo by kind permission of © www.theimage.com.

Sunstone Weight: 3.70 ct Origin: India Photo by kind permission of © www.edelsteine.at, Thomas Pfneisl.

Sunstone Weight: 3.25 ct Origin: Dust Devil Mine / Plush / Oregon / USA Photo by kind permission of © www.theimage.com.

Sunstone Origin: Plush / Oregon / USA Photo by kind permission of © www.irocks.com, Dr. Robert Lavinsky.

Sunstone Mineral Photo by kind permission of © www.theimage.com.

Sunstone Cat's Eye Weight: 4.29 ct Origin: India Photo by kind permission of © www.irocks.com, Dr. Robert Lavinsky.

Sunstone Cat's Eye Weight: 3.97 ct Origin: India Photo by kind permission of © www.irocks.com, Dr. Robert Lavinsky.

Sunstone Star Weight: 4.46 ct Origin: India Photo by kind permission of www.online-edelstein.de, Timo Klopp.

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