Monazite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
Monazite may be partially metamict, with N=1.79. Stones can be an attractive yellow or brown color but are usually small.
Monazite may be partially metamict, with N=1.79. Stones can be an attractive yellow or brown color but are usually small.
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for full access to our price guide (updated monthly).Monazite Value
Optics:a=1.774-1.800; β= 1.777-1.801; γ= 1.828-1849.
Biaxial (+), 2V= 11-15°.
Higher refractive index is accompanied by lower birefringence.
Occurrence: An accessory mineral in igneous rocks and gneisses; sometimes in large crystals in granite pegmatites; as a detrital mineral in sands.
Petaca district, New Mexico; Amelia, Virginia.
Norway; Finland.
Colorado: fine crystals.
Wyoming: crystals to several pounds.
Madagascar: in fine crystals.
Switzerland: excellent crystals in alpine vein deposits.
Sri Lanka: orange pebbles.
Callipampa,Bolivia: good crystals.
Deposits of alluvial material in Australia, India, Brazil, Malaysia, Nigeria.
Comments: Monazite may be partially metamict, with N=1.79. Stones can be an attractive yellow or brown color but are usually small.
Name: From the Greek monazein,to be solitary, because of the rarity of the mineral.
Joel E. Arem, Ph.D., FGA
Dr. Joel E. Arem has more than 60 years of experience in the world of gems and minerals. After obtaining his Ph.D. in Mineralogy from Harvard University, he has published numerous books that are still among the most widely used references and guidebooks on crystals, gems and minerals in the world.
Co-founder and President of numerous organizations, Dr. Arem has enjoyed a lifelong career in mineralogy and gemology. He has been a Smithsonian scientist and Curator, a consultant to many well-known companies and institutions, and a prolific author and speaker. Although his main activities have been as a gem cutter and dealer, his focus has always been education.
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