[Jewelry making - Article 00639] - Re: [Orchid] Serpentine, Jade, and Olivine

[John Burgess]

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G'day;  

    I'd like to 'rephrase' my previous pontification on these
    materials., having thoroughly checked now. 

    Firstly peridote is the crystal/gem grade of olivine. Serpentine is
    altered olivine, 

    Bowenite is serpentine, but much harder, more translucent and has
    different RI. 

    Anecdote:   A Colleague of mine was doing research in Antarctica at
    the base of mount Erebus. He'd done what he had come for, had packed
    his gear and was waiting for the helicopter to take him back to base.
    He was idly kicking stones (as you do), picked one up and found it to
    be gem grade peridote, and collected about 500 grams in ten minutes!
    On his return to NZ he showed them to me and gave me a nice bright
    yellow one.  I had it cut and mounted it in a 14 carat gold ring (all
    I could afford) and gave it to Jean.  She much later gave it to our
    grandaughter. 

Cheers for now,
JohnB of Mapua, Nelson NZ

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