Hiddenite Gemstone & Information | Gemopedia by JTV | Gemopedia™

Hiddenite

Hiddenite is the green chromium-rich variety of spodumene, which is rarer than its pink sibling, kunzite. Hiddenite is named for American gemologist William Hidden, who first discovered this transparent green variety in North Carolina in the area that now also bears its name, Hiddenite.

Colors

Medium Green To Emerald Green

  • Hiddenite classification

    CommonName
    Hiddenite
    Species
    Spodumene
    Variety
    Hiddenite
    Colors
    Medium Green To Emerald Green
    AlternateNames
    GemstoneGroups
    KeySeparations
    RI, birefringence, optic character and spectra. Biaxial common point is 0.006 from high RI.
    ClassificationComments
    Some gemololgists would argue that the stones must come from Hiddenite, N.C. and colored by chromium to be called Hiddenite.

  • Hiddenite chemistry & crystallography

    ChemicalName
    lithium aluminum silicate
    ChemicalFormula
    LiAlSi2O6
    Synthesis
    CrystalSystem
    Monoclinic
    ChemistryClassification
    Silicate
    Nature
    Natural
    Crystallinity
    Crystalline
    ChemistryComments

  • Hiddenite optical properties

    Transparency
    Transparent
    Dispersion
    Strength: moderate fire Value: 0.017
    OpticalComments
    RefractiveIndex
    1.662-1.676
    Birefringence
    0.014-0.016
    OpticCharacter
    Biaxial
    OpticSign
    Positive
    PolariscopeReaction
    Doubly Refractive (DR)
    Fluorescence
    SWUV: inert to weak orangy red or pink
    LWUV: inert to weak orangy red or pink
    CCFReaction
    Pleochroism
    Trichroic, moderate to strong, yellowish green, green, blue-green

  • Hiddenite characteristic physical properties

    Hardness
    6.5-7
    CharacteristicComments
    Streak
    White
    SpecificGravity
    3.15-3.21 Typical:3.18
    Toughness
    Poor
    Inclusions
    Hiddenite is a type I clarity stone. Stones might contain growth and etch tubes, healing cracks, liquid and multi-phase inclusions.
    Luster
    Vitreous
    Stability
    Fracture
    Uneven, Splintery
    Cleavage
    Perfect, in two directions