bastnasite

[rparker1998]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bastnasite-82ct-faceted-Pakistan_W0QQitemZ160169534236QQihZ006QQcategoryZ282QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Does anyone have one of these? What do you knowledgeable people know about this stone? I''m fascinated by the way the cut makes the colors sort of swirl around the inside of the stone...

 

[LD]

It''s a carbonate mineral, found in several locations around the world - i.e. Norway, Turkey etc.

It''s only a 4-5 on the MOHS scale so is delicate. If you are wanting to set it into a piece of jewellery then I wouldn''t recommend a ring.

 

[T L]

Looks like it''s doubly refractive.

 

[shinyrocks]

Hmmm. That''s a new one on me! If you end up getting it, be sure to post pics and let us know what you think!