Although in some areas it may not feel like Spring has sprung, but the calendar says it has, so we wanted to reintroduce our old friend phosphosiderite-a perfect fit for the new season. You’ll usually see it in a variety of soft purple and pink hues such as lavender and rose-pink but it can be found in other less common colors like dark blue and moss green. Jay likes the pink and purple tones, and you’ll notice this when he presents his phosphosiderite designs. Although this stone is mined worldwide, Jay’s current stash is from Chile.
The stone can be opaque and translucent with a vein of yellow running through it. Phosphosiderite doesn’t polish up super shiny but displays a luster resembling glass or resin.
An important characteristic of phosphosiderite is its low score on the Mohs scale. This means it’s quite soft compared to other stones and will damage easily. Store these pieces separately, away from other jewelry that can scratch or chip them. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, never dip in jewelry cleaners or use steam and ultrasonic cleaners on any stone. Just clean with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth.
Until next time, enjoy springtime and…
Happy Hounding!
