GASPEITE

This vintage Navajo ring, by Will Denetdale, features a yellow-green gaspeite hammer set in a sterling silver & 14K gold setting
Gaspeite set in a handmade Navajo ring
Species:  Gaspeite
Mohs Hardness:  4.5 to 5 out of 10
Color:  Yellow-green to greenish yellow, possibly with veining
RI:  1.61 to 1.81 spot reading
Birefringence:  0.222 (usually not detectable)
SR/DR/AGG:  AGG
Optic Character:  Uniaxial negative
Fluorescence:  Inert
SG:  3.71

Gaspeite Facts

This vintage Navajo ring, by Will Denetdale, features a yellow-green gaspeite hammer set in a sterling silver & 14K gold setting
Handmade Navajo ring featuring gaspeite set in sterling silver with yellow gold accents

Gaspeite is often mistaken for turquoise due to its brownish veining.

Gaspeite was discovered in 1966, in the Gaspe Peninsula of Quebec, Canada.

There are gaspeite deposits in New Mexico, Western Australia, Tasmania, Italy, Greece, Spain, and South Africa.

Gaspeite can be weakly magnetic.

Gaspeite is commonly used in Southwestern jewelry, as cabochons or used in inlay works.

All photos courtesy of Scott Papper, GIA GG, AJP, CMA (NAJA)