Magnesite

Magnesite is a relatively affordable gemstone with colors ranging from whites and grays to a yellowish-brown hue. If you’re at your local rock and mineral show then you’ll see this material in rough, cut slabs, and finished cabs. I wouldn’t expect to see this material faceted.

Something incredible about Magnesite is its luminesces blues, greens, or whites that can be seen under shortwave (SW) ultraviolet light. While the stones are somewhat rare, it is not uncommon to see green phosphorescence and fluorescence. Even more interesting is that some Magnesites contain a triboluminescent feature that’s similar to cracking a Wint-O-Green Lifesavers in a dim room and seeing a spark or the sparkle of ice cubes when they’re pulled out of the freezer. Some compare it to seeing a diamond being cut.

 

Magnesite Rocks

Magnesite is a magnesium carbonate mineral. It’s named after the presence of magnesium while in its composition phase and typically forms during the alteration of magnesium-rich rocks or carbonate rocks through chemical weathering or metamorphism.

 

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Magnesite Uses

Magnesite is used for several things, one being the production of magnesium oxide, which is used as a refractory material in the steel industry. It’s also used as a raw material within the chemical industry.

I bet you didn’t know Magnesite is used to create fireworks, construction materials, and as a binder for flooring.

If you’re looking to produce synthetic rubber or you’re preparing to make fertilizer then you’ll want to have some Magnesite on hand but you’re not here for the industrial use cases so let’s dig into ways rockhounds and lapidary artists use this material.

Magnesite is often used to make beads, cabochons, and tumbled stones. White Magnesite is porous and has the ability to be cut into cabochons and you’ll see these dyed blue to imitate Turquoise.

Metaphysically, Magnesite is a popular stone for meditation because it’s believed the stone has calming and soothing properties. They say that Magnesite gemstones help the wearer think with clarity, which aids in the process of imagination and creativeness.

Magnesite is also used for chakra healing. It is believed to encourage the powers of love and open the heart chakra, allowing us to find personal happiness, joy, and well-being. In turn, it’s believed to boost our self-esteem.

 

 

Where Is Magnesite Found?

Magnesite commonly occurs in thin beds with clay, shales, or coal seams, as sedimentary deposits. It also occurs in hydrothermal metallic veins as waste rock or gangue.

Significant deposits of white Magnesite are found in Italy, Australia, Poland, and the United States. However, it’s only found in Nevada and California.

 

 

Magnesite Colors

Magnesite stones can range in color from gray to white to a yellowish-brown. Some specimens have pale yellow, brown, pink, and lilac-rose hues. Most of the stones take on a spotted look while stones with mostly white will have yellowish-brown veins running through them.

 

White Magnesite

This is the most common color and you’ll find it online and at your rock and mineral show. Most of the stone will be white but don’t be surprised to see some darker colored veins running through it.

Blue Magnesite

The blue color is caused by dying the white variety of Magnesite and is used to imitate Turquoise. You can also find Magnesite being used in place of Howlite. If you didn’t know Howlite is used to imitate Turquoise as well by dying it blue.

 

Magnesite Cleavage

Magnesite has a perfect cleavage on [1011]. However, it’s not seen in cryptocrystalline specimens.