Periclase - syntheticPericlase - synthetic

Periclase Value, Price, and Jewelry Information


Periclase has been synthesized in large masses in the laboratory, but these have no market significance. A faceted natural periclase would be a great rarity due to the extreme scarcity of suitable faceting rough. The expected size would be less than 1 carat.

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HomeGemstonesPericlase Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

Periclase has been synthesized in large masses in the laboratory, but these have no market significance. A faceted natural periclase would be a great rarity due to the extreme scarcity of suitable faceting rough. The expected size would be less than 1 carat.

Periclase - synthetic
“Magnesium Oxide (Periclase),” synthetic, doped with nickel, ~ 5 carats. Photo © Joel E. Arem, PhD, FGA. Used with permission.

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Periclase Value

Optics: Isotropic; N: 1.736.

Occurrence: Occurs in marbles, due to high-temperature contact metamorphism.

Texas; New Mexico.

Spain; Sardinia; Czech Republic; Slovakia.

Crestmore, Riverside County, California: embedded grains.

Vesuvius, Italy: as glassy grains in the lava rocks.

Nordmark, Sweden: in the Mn mines.

Comments: Periclase has been synthesized in large masses in the laboratory, but these have no market significance. A faceted natural periclase would be a great rarity due to the extreme scarcity of suitable faceting rough. The expected size would be less than 1 carat.

Name: From the Greek peri plus klastos, to break around, in allusion to the cleavage.


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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