Cancrinite is one of the most attractive of all opaque or translucent gem materials. It is a bit too soft for average wear, but its distinctive color is worthy of jewelry. Cancrinite may be tricky to cut because it often contains numerous hard inclusions. Faceted gems even as small as 1 carat are considered great rarities.
OPTICS:
o = 1.507-1.528; e = 1.495 -1.503 (cancrinite)
o = 1.490-1.507; e = 1.488 -1.495 (vishnevite)
Uniaxial (-), chlorine-rich variety (microsommite) is optically (+)
OCCURRENCE: Primarily in alkali-rich rocks; also as an alternation product of nepheline.
Iron Hill, Colorado; Kennebec County, Maine
Norway; Romania; Finland; Russia; North Korea; China; Democratic Republic of the Congo; India; Uganda; Kenya.
Bancroft District, Ontario, Canada: fine gemmy material.
COMMENTS: Cancrinite is one of the most attractive of all opaque or translucent gem materials. It is a bit too soft for average wear, but its distinctive color is worthy of jewelry. Cancrinite may be tricky to cut because it often contains numerous hard inclusions. Faceted gems even as small as 1 carat are considered great rarities.
NAME: After Count Cancrin, Finance Minister of Russia.
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OPTICS:
o = 1.507-1.528; e = 1.495 -1.503 (cancrinite)
o = 1.490-1.507; e = 1.488 -1.495 (vishnevite)
Uniaxial (-), chlorine-rich variety (microsommite) is optically (+)
OCCURRENCE: Primarily in alkali-rich rocks; also as an alternation product of nepheline.
Iron Hill, Colorado; Kennebec County, Maine
Norway; Romania; Finland; Russia; North Korea; China; Democratic Republic of the Congo; India; Uganda; Kenya.
Bancroft District, Ontario, Canada: fine gemmy material.
COMMENTS: Cancrinite is one of the most attractive of all opaque or translucent gem materials. It is a bit too soft for average wear, but its distinctive color is worthy of jewelry. Cancrinite may be tricky to cut because it often contains numerous hard inclusions. Faceted gems even as small as 1 carat are considered great rarities.
NAME: After Count Cancrin, Finance Minister of Russia.
Cancrinite is one of the most attractive of all opaque or translucent gem materials. It is a bit too soft for average wear, but its distinctive color is worthy of jewelry. Cancrinite may be tricky to cut because it often contains numerous hard inclusions. Faceted gems even as small as 1 carat are considered great rarities.
