A species of Chalcedony, Also known as Tempest Stone
Pietersite is the commercial term and trade name for material mined in Namibia, Africa. This rock is almost always seen and sold in the form of cabochons; it is cut and polished this way to maximize the chatoyancy, or so-called cat's effect.
Hardness:
6.5 - 7
Density:
2.5 - 2.74 g/cm³
On This Page
Properties
Health Risk
Values
Market Price
How to Care
Characteristics
Cultural
Common Questions
General Info About Pietersite
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Physical Properties of Pietersite
Luster
Vitreous, Silky
Diaphaneity
Opaque
Colors
Blue-gray, brown, yellow colors
Magnetism
Non-magnetic
Tenacity
Brittle
Cleavage
None
Fracture
Splintery
Streak
Gold, orange
Crystal System
Trigonal
Hardness
6.5 - 7 , Hard
Density
2.5 - 2.74 g/cm³, Normal Weight
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Chemical Properties of Pietersite
Chemical Classification
Silicates
Formula
SiO2
Elements listed
O, Si
Optical Properties of Pietersite
Refractive Index
1.530-1.543
Birefringence
0.003-0.009
Pleochroism
None
Dispersion
0.013
Optical Character
Biaxial positive
Health Risk of Pietersite
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What is the hazards of Pietersite?
Harm Type
Physical Toxicity
Pietersite in powdered form can be toxic due to its Crocidolite Asbestos, Crystalline Silica content.
Quartz, silica, crystalline silica and flint are non-toxic materials, but very fine dust containing quartz, known as respirable crystalline silicon (RCS), can cause serious and fatal lung disease. Lapidaries should exercise caution when cutting silica.
How to prevent the risks of Pietersite?
Avoid inhaling its dust!
Pietersite is typically non-toxic except in powder form. If you plan to cut or polish pietersite, it's advisable to wear a dust mask to avoid inhaling any dust. Asbestos fibers and silica dust are hazardous when inhaled, as they can lead to serious lung disease.
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Rarity
Uncommon
Collection Recommendation
4.4 out of 5
Popularity
3.9
Aesthetic
4.4
Rarity
4.2
Sci-Cultural Value
4
The Market Price of Pietersite
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Rough/Tumbled Price
Fixed Price
$1 - $10 g
How to Care for Pietersite?
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Durability
Durable
Scratch resistance
Good
Toughness of Pietersite
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
Pietersite has good toughness due to its composition of chalcedony, a form of quartz known for its lack of cleavage and strong internal structure, making it resistant to daily wear and tear.
Stability of Pietersite
Sensitive
Stable
Pietersite demonstrates resilience under most daily use conditions. It resists water, sunlight, and dry environments well and cleans easily. However, caution should be taken with heat and chemical exposures.
More Care Tips of Pietersite
Characteristics of Pietersite
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Cultural Significance of Pietersite
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Uses of Pietersite
Pietersite is the trade name for an aggregate of the mineral breccia. This stone is traded as an ornamental material because it produces a cat's eye effect, also known as chatoyancy, when polished. This property gives the stone tremendous appeal for use as a bead or in other carved shapes for necklaces, bracelets, and other jewelry.
Healing Properties of Pietersite
Pietersite is believed to have a particular advantage on your heart, blood pressure, and nervous system, and it's believed to regulate metabolism and treat many ailments. For women, pietersite is said to lessen the symptoms of menstruation. This stone may have an affinity with the elements, helping to calm in storms and bad weather.
Chakras
Sacral, Solar Plexus, Third Eye
Common Questions People Also Ask
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