Eudialyte

Eudialyte Rock Professor Image

Eudialyte is a fairly rare mineral. It has a poor crystal habit, so when crystals are found, they are prized by collectors. However, it is very attractive when polished for use in jewelry. It has a deep red color in a matrix of black, gray and white. 

The Kola Peninsula, Russia, is the locality which produces much of the eudialyte seen on the market today. Eudialyte is a source of zirconium.

Mineral class: silicates ♦ Variety of: quartz ♦ Chemistry: Na4(Ca,Ce)2(Fe++,Mn,Y)ZrSi8O22(OH,Cl)2 ♦ Moh's hardness: 5 - 5.5 ♦Transparency: transparent to translucent ♦ Crystal system: trigonal ♦ Luster: vitreous ♦ Color: pinkish red, red, yellow, yellowish brown, violet ♦ Localities: include Quebec; Kola Peninsula, Russia; Greenland, Madagascar, USA