Clinohumite a Rare Gemstone with a Magical Legend

Article author: Mª Dolores Sánchez Polledo Article published at: Apr 13, 2025 Article comments count: 0 comments
Clinohumite a Rare Gemstone with a Magical Legend

Clinohumite is a rare gem that belongs to the group of minerals of humite, this gemstone has a beautiful legend that we would like to share with you.

Contenido

    1. CLINOHUMITE HISTORY, LEGENDS AND LORE
    2. COLOR, CUT & SIZE OF CLINOHUMITE
    3. CLARITY & INCLUSIONS
    4. GENESIS & ORIGIN
    5. TREATMENTS AND SYNTHESIS
    6. GENERAL DESCRIPTION PHYSICAL & OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE CLINOHUMITE

    Versión Española

    CLINOHUMITE HISTORY, LEGENDS AND LORE

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    The legend of this rare gemstone says that the inhabitants of the Pamir Mountains were under the protection of the SUN. The sun helped them in their harsh life at the mountains, and illuminated them in the most difficult times. They were usually attacked by nomads, and thanks to their ally, the sun, they could hide in the mountains.

    But one day, the nomads attacked the inhabitants of the mountain almost at night. As much as the sun tried to guide the way, the mountain prevented every ray of light. So that the sun had to fight with the mountains and move them, for his proteges could find shelter.

    It was a merciless struggle between the mountains and the sun, and while the mountain inhabitants managed to take shelter, in the end the sun ended up losing the battle and cutting himself with the jagged mountain peaks.

    From that day on, the inhabitants started to found beautiful YELLOW  gemstones, which are nothing more than pieces of the sun. The natives of Pamir Mountains called it the Fire Mountain.

    For centuries, the inhabitants of the Pamir Mountains have sought these beautiful yellow gems for protection or as amulets; these stones are considered great gifts at weddings, births, etc and are placed both cradles and tombs, seeking the protection of our loved ones and as a treasure, they are passed from generation to generation.

      

    COLOR, CUT & SIZE OF CLINOHUMITE

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    COLORS: Honey yellow, light yellow, orange, brown yellow, brown, reddish brown.

    The Clinohumite gemstone quality is not usually found in larger SIZES to 3 ct. with an average of 1 ct. Because of its rarity, as refered to CUT, it tries to maximize the gross. Clinohumite faceted quality gem has a high value. 

     

    CLARITY & INCLUSIONS

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    The clinohumite is a fairly rare member of the family group of humite, with a hardness of 6 (Mohs' scale), usually opaque o translucent and rarely presented in gem quality, that is transparent, with few inclusions and a beautiful color.

    Due to its fragility and rarity, they are not usually used in jewellery, since any pressure could fracture the gem.

     

    Typical Inclusions:

    Solid inclusions (cristals), bifasic inclusions, growth lines of different orange, healed fractures, etc..

     

    GENESIS & ORIGIN

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    GENESIS: Metamorphic of contact.

     Clinohumite major producers of gem quality: there are few known places of gem-quality deposits: (Taimyr) Russia, (Magenhe) Tanzania, (Pamir - associated with high quality spinel deposits), Tajikistan.

     

    TREATMENTS AND SYNTHESIS

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    TREATMENTS: No treatments.

    SYNTHESIS: Not synthetized.

    GENERAL DESCRIPTION PHYSICAL & OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE CLINOHUMITE 

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    Solid inclusions in clinohumite

    Solid inclusions

    inclusions in clinohumite

    Healed fracture, two-phase inclusions,
    solid inclusions and fractures

    growth lines in clinohumite gemstone

    Growth lines of different orange

     

    Magnesium Silicate, humite group

    (Mg, Fe2+)9 (SiO 4)4 (F, OH)2 

    It was first discovered in 1876 by Alfred Vesuvius Des Clozeaux.

    Etymology: Klinos, derived from the Greek word: bent.

  • Crystal system: Monoclinic
  • Habit: Prismatic round
  • Hardness (Mohs): 6
  • Fracture: Sub-conchoidal
  • Transparency: Transparent, translucent, opaque
  • Luster: Vitreous resin
  • Dispersion: 0.021
  • Density: 3.13 to 3.75 g/cm3
  • Nature optics: Positive biaxial
  • Refractive index: 1.623 to 1.728
  • Birefringence: 0.024 to 0.041
  • Pleochroism: Brown orange - orange to yellow - yellow to colorless
  • Fluorescence: SW: Yellow - Orange LW: inert
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    Article author: Mª Dolores Sánchez Polledo Article published at: Apr 13, 2025

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