name : rare parisite mineral

weight : 5 ct.

size : 10 x 5 x 6 mm.

location : zagi mountains pakistan.

paresite

Parisite is a very rare, commonly brown gemstone containing rare earth elements (or REEs). It’s better known as an inclusion in Colombian emeralds, though it’s a sought-after specimen for mineral collectors.

Don’t be dissuaded by the name, by the way — nothing to do with parasites here!

Technically, “parisite” is a group of rare-earth minerals, with a few members having the name “parisite” followed by which rare-earth element is dominant. When “parisite” is used to describe an individual stone in the group, it’s usually referring to the cerium-dominant mineral: parisite-(Ce).

Today, we’ll teach you all about this rare gemstone, including parisite mineral uses, properties, prices, history, and more!

About Parisite Stone

Parisite is a semi-precious gemstone, but it’s known for being found as an inclusion in the precious gemstone emerald. In fact, parisite inclusions in emeralds can tell you if that emerald is from Colombia, though these inclusions are still rare. You may also see parisite inside Colombian quartz stones.

As an inclusion, parisite may be incorporated into emeralds used as traditional May birthstones, 55th wedding anniversary gemstones, or Cancer zodiac birthstones.

Outside of the gem sphere, what are the uses of parisite?

Since parisite is so rare, it’s not used industrially super often, but the rare earth elements in its composition are valuable. Uses for cerium or cerium oxide specifically include:

Creating iron and aluminum alloys

Catalyst in catalytic converters of exhaust vehicles

Reducing nitrogen oxides to nitrogen gas

Hardening stainless steel

Making permanent magnets

Medicinal antioxidant

Polishing glass

Incandescent gas mantles

Self-cleaning oven catalyst

Next, what are the properties of parasite crystals?

Parisite Specifications & Characteristics

“Parisite” refers to a group of calcium rare-earth fluoro-carbonates or a member of this group with predominant rare-earth element composition. The most abundant mineral in the group (though still rare) is the cerium-dominant parisite-(Ce).

Other parisite minerals in the group include neodymium-dominant parisite-(Nd) and lanthanum-dominant parisite-(La).

So, what is the formula for the parisite mineral? The formula for parisite minerals is written as Ca(Ce,La)2(CO3)3F2 or Ca(Nd,Ce,La)2(CO3)3F2. Parisite-(Ce) has the formula Ca(Ce)2(CO3)3F2, as it’s a cerium calcium fluoro-carbonate.

The mineral only occurs as crystals, which are almost always small. Parisite crystals are usually acicular (needle-like), slender and prismatic, or dipyramidal (steep or acute). They can also be rhombohedral and some have horizontal striation.

All of parisite’s properties listed:

Mohs hardness: 4.5

Color: Brown, brownish-yellow, yellowish-brown, grayish-yellow, orange, red, black, colorless

Crystal structure: Monoclinic (pseudo-hexagonal)

Luster: Vitreous, greasy, or resinous; Pearly on basal cleavage surfaces

Transparency: Transparent to translucent

Refractive index: 1.671 to 1.771

Density: 4.33-4.39

Cleavage: Distinct/good basal on [0001] (or parting) possibly due to alteration

Fracture: Subconchoidal to splintery

Streak: White

Luminescence: None

Pleochroism: Present but weak - light yellow to golden-yellow

Birefringence: 0.081-0.104

Optical effects: Very rarely asterism, color-change