What is Williamsite?

Williamsite is a rare translucent to semi-transparent variety of serpentine. It is valued for its translucency and its jade-like color. Williamsite was named in honor of 19th century American mineral collector L.W. Williams (1804-1873), who first discovered it.

What kind of stone is serpentine?

Serpentine is considered by geoscientists to be the metamorphosed remains of magnesium-rich igneous rocks, most commonly the rock peridotite, from the earth’s mantle. The mantle is a thick layer of rock just below the earth’s crust.

What is serpentinite used for?

Serpentine is used mainly as a decorative stone or for ornamental objects. Serpentine gemstones have been used as a source of magnesium, in asbestos and for personal adornment or sculpture throughout history. Various serpentine minerals have even been used in architecture for thousands of years.

How can you tell if serpentine is real?

The most obvious physical properties of serpentine are its green color, patterned appearance, and slippery feel. These remind the observer of a snake and that is where the name “serpentine” was derived.

Where does willemite come from?

It occurs in many places, but is best known from Arizona and the zinc, iron, manganese deposits at Franklin and Sterling Hill Mines in New Jersey.

What is willemite used for?

Willemite belongs to the phenakite mineral group as the zinc (Zn) analogue to phenakite itself. In fact, willemite has been used as a zinc ore. Soft, fragile, and difficult to polish, willemites don’t make good jewelry stones. Most faceted specimens show pale green, yellow-orange, or brownish green colors.

Can serpentinite go in water?

Serpentine can go in the water. This gemstone is widely used in healing practices, and cleansing serpentine with water helps remove any negative energy or vibrations it may have picked up. However, it is essential to note that serpentine is relatively soft, so you should care more when cleaning.

Is willemite a zeolite?

Willemite is a zinc silicate mineral ( Zn 2SiO 4) and a minor ore of zinc. It is highly fluorescent (green) under shortwave ultraviolet light. It occurs in a variety of colors in daylight, in fibrous masses, solid brown masses (troostite), and apple-green gemmy masses.