Quartz with Siderophyllite 0.85 ct
Cushion Cut 6.70 x 6.70 x 4.10 mm
Tanzania
y969

Quartzite with siderophyllite

Trade name is also “Cherry Tanzurine”. In fact is quartzite with this type of mica; the material is generally milky with many fractures and is used for beads ,cabochons and tumbled; only a very small percentage of it is of gem quality. Siderophyllite is a rare member of the mica group of silicate minerals with formula Kfe2+2Al(Al2Si2)O10(F,OH)2.

It comes from Malambo,west of Lake NatronAfrican Rift Valley,Arusha Region Tanzania.