Nuummite
Nuummite is an interesting mineral, and very rare. It is one of the oldest rocks found on Earth, found in precambrian rocks around 3.8 billion years old.
It can display flecks and patches of iridescence with a range of colours, including yellow, gold, green, blue, red and violet.
Appearance, Uses and History
Nuummite is named after the Nuuk region of Greenland. Information online varies as to when it was discovered and named.
It was originally collected in 1810, and scientifically defined in 1905. However, it was given its current name in 1982. This is because it is a trading name for a combination of two other minerals, Anthophyllite and Gedrite.
The light refraction between these two minerals causes some pieces to have a flashing iridescence.
It is most often cut and polished; nicer pieces are used for jewellery making. Most pieces you will find are tumble polished, cut en cabochon, or made into polished palmstones or similar.
Locales
A very rare mineral only found in Greenland and Finland, particularly around Nuuk, Greenland.
A variety has recently been found in Mauritania, with iridescent flashes of bright blue. This material has been called ‘Jenakite’.
Mineralogy
Photos of Nuummite
Hazards and Warnings
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.
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- ヌーマイト
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- Nuummit
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