Information about Hiddenite

Appearance

Hiddenite is a rare variety of the mineral spodumene that is known for its striking green color, ranging from pale to emerald green.

Uses and History

Hiddenite is primarily used as a gemstone, but is also popular with collectors.

The gemstone and the town of Hiddenite, North Carolina is named after the exploration geologist William Earl Hidden. The town draws tourism from visitors who sluice and dig for gems, including hiddenite, emerald, and sapphire.

Locales

Hiddenite is quite uncommon worldwide, with only a few locales producing fine specimens:

Afghanistan

• Mawi pegmatite, Nilaw-Kolum pegmatite field, Nuristan, Afghanistan
• Paprok, Kamdesh District, Nuristan, Afghanistan

Brazil

• Barra do Cuité pegmatites, Barra do Cuieté, Conselheiro Pena, Minas Gerais, Brazil
• Minas Novas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
• Resplendor, Minas Gerais, Brazil

United States of America

• Adams Hiddenite and Emerald Mine, Alexander County, North Carolina, USA
• Emerald Valley Mine, Hiddenite, Alexander County, North Carolina, USA
• North American Emerald Mine, Hiddenite, Alexander County, North Carolina, USA
• Stony Point, Alexander County, North Carolina, USA

I have recently heard of locales in China and Madagascar, but was not able to find any confirmed sites.

Mineralogy

Hazards and Warnings

Mineral collectors should wash their hands after handling specimens, to avoid any exposure to potential toxins.
Almost all rocks, minerals (and, frankly, almost all other substances on earth) can produce toxic dust when cutting, which can cause serious respiratory conditions including silicosis.

When cutting or polishing rocks, minerals, shells, etc, all work should be done wet to minimise the dust, and a suitable respirator or extraction system should be used.

Translations

Further Reading / External Links

• https://www.mindat.org/min-7740.html
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiddenite