Thomsonite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
Thomsonite cabochons take a high polish but are somewhat brittle. These are especially lovely when a pinkish gray eyelike pattern is present, but such material is rare, Lintonite, from Michigan, is translucent and green and is sometimes mistaken for jade. A faceted thomsonite must be considered a great rarity.
Optics:a= 1.497—1.530: β=1.513—1.533; γ=1.518-1.544.
Biaxial(+), 2V= 42—75°.
Shadow edge at 1.52-1.54.
Occurrence: Thomsonite is a secondary mineral in lavas and basic igneous rocks.
Oregon; California; Colorado; New Jersey.
Nova Scotia, Canada; Greenland; Ireland; Scotland; Italy; India: Czechoslovakia; Germany.
Isle Royale, Michigan: patterned pebbles.
Stockly Bay, Michigan: lintonite; also at Grand Marais, Cook County, Minnesota (Thomsonite Beach).
Comments: Thomsonite cabochons take a high polish but are somewhat brittle. These are especially lovely when a pinkish gray eyelike pattern is present, but such material is rare, Lintonite, from Michigan, is translucent and green and is sometimes mistaken for jade. A faceted thomsonite must be considered a great rarity.
Thomsonite is pyroelectric.
Name: Thomsonite for Thomas Thomson, the Scottish chemist who first analyzed the material. Lintonite is after a Miss Linton.
