Magnesite
Other Silicates & Gemstones
Magnesite is magnesium carbonate, usually found as white, gray, yellowish, or brown massive material and less often as distinct crystals. Its perfect cleavage and low hardness make it easier to scratch and fracture than quartz gems.
Identity
- Material or variety
- Magnesite
- Scientific or material identity
- Magnesite
- Classification
- Natural mineral or mineral variety
- Composition or formula
- MgCO₃
- Crystal system or structure
- Trigonal
- Geological or manufacturing origin
- Can form in more than one geological environment, or combines several materials.
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5 to 4.5
Origins
Austria · Brazil · Greece · India · Norway · South Africa
Appearance & optical properties
off-white magnesite with thin gray web veins.
History & discovery
The mineral takes its name from Magnesia in Thessaly, Greece, one of its type localities. Martin Heinrich Klaproth published an analysis of material then called bitter spar in 1795, and later examined magnesite from Styria. Early mineral records also used names that referred to its magnesium-rich composition.
Uses & care
- Common uses
- Dense magnesite is cut as cabochons, beads, and carvings. Much larger industrial quantities are processed into heat-resistant linings for kilns and furnaces.
- Handling and cleaning
- Store magnesite separately from harder gems and protect it from knocks, because it scratches easily and has perfect cleavage. Use a soft damp cloth rather than abrasive cleaners.
Jewellery
5 pieces of Magnesite jewellery. Learners earn each one in DigMyGem by learning words; until then it shows as a silhouette.
Chalk Halo Tiara
Tiara
A tiara of white metal set with matte magnesite cabochons the colour of chalk, a stone plain enough for any bride. It is polished, never dyed.
Snowdrift Necklace
Necklace
A necklace of chunky white magnesite beads veined with grey, strung with silver spacers. Unlike turquoise-dyed magnesite, this strand keeps the stone's true colour.
Rose Brooch
Brooch
A silver rose brooch whose five petals are carved from magnesite, the soft stone light enough to hang without strain. Each petal is matte white with a faint grey edge.
White Porcelain Earrings
Earrings
An imagined pair of earrings of white magnesite, chalk white and veined with grey like cracked porcelain glaze.
Snow Swan Bowl
Jewel
An imagined bowl carved from white magnesite in the shape of a swan, mounted in gold.