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Prehnite - Mineral and Healing Properties

Chemistry: Ca2Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 Calcium Aluminum Silicate Hydroxide.

Class: Silicate

Subclass: Phyllosilicates

Uses: As mineral specimens and limited use for ornamental stone purposes.

Prehnite Cluster
Prehnite Ball
Prehnite Polished

Prehnite is an inosilicate of calcium and aluminium and crystallizes most often forms as stalactitic or botryoidal shapes.

Prehnite occurs in a range of green colors, including pale green to dark green and yellow- to brown-green. Prehnite may also occur gray, blue, orange, white and colorless. A soft apple green color is most desirable, while blue, pink, colorless, white and orange are considered the rarest occurrences and are highly sought after by mineral collectors.

Until recently, prehnite was a rare collector's gemstone, but new deposits have now made it more readily available. In China, prehnite is sometimes referred to as grape jade owing to its typical nodule formations which often resemble a bunch of grapes.

Origin Of The Name

It was first described in 1788 for an occurrence in the Karoo dolerites of Cradock, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. It was named for Colonel Hendrik Von Prehn (1733–1785), commander of the military forces of the Dutch colony at the Cape of Good Hope from 1768 to 1780. In fact, it is one of the first minerals to be named after a historical person.

Interesting Facts

Prehnite is one of the first minerals to be named after a historical person. Also, prehnite was the first mineral to be named and described from South Africa, long before the country became an important source for precious gems, including diamond.

Though not a zeolite, it is found where lot of other zeolite grow. If prehnite is heated, it can emit water.

Where Is It Found

Large and exceptional delicate masses of Prehnite epimorphs after Laumontite come from the Kandivali Quarry, Mumbai, India. Several new deposits of gemmy Prehnite have been found in Chinaand in Australia, good Prehnite has come from Prospect and Mullaley, New South Wales.

Africa contains many outstanding sources of Prehnite. The most extensive and exploited are in the Kayes Region of Mali.

In the U.S., the most famous and well-known Prehnite localities are in northwestern New Jersey. Some of the finest examples of this mineral in all forms, especially botryoidal, hemispherical blobs, fingers and snakeheads, were found in the Upper and Lower New Street Quarries, Paterson, Passaic Co.; as well as Prospect Park, Passaic County.

What Do We Do With It

Prehnite is often cut and polished into cabochons, but highly transparent materials are quite often faceted. Prehnite may also be tumbled or beaded and it is a popular ornamental material used for decorative carvings. Prehnite is one the rarer and lesser-known gems. Thus, it is primarily a collector's stone. Although its use as a jewelry gemstone is not common, it is becoming more and more popular, especially because of recent finds and its excellent affordability.

Metaphysical Uses

Prehnite is considered a stone of unconditional love and the crystal to heal the healer. It enhances precognition and inner knowing. Enables you always to be prepared. Prehnite calms the environment and brings peace and protection. It teaches how to be in harmony with nature and the elemental forces. Helpful for decluttering – letting go of possessions you no longer need, aiding those who hoard possessions, or love, because of an inner lack.

Prehnite clears toxins from the body and balances the meridians, and helps you say no to unreasonable requests. Prehnite encourages acceptance, emotional release, forgiveness, and compassion. It helps to remain true to self, uplift the spirit and find clarity of heart and mind.

Physical Characteristics

Color: Pale green to a yellowish grass green, also gray, white or colorless.

Luster: Vitreous to waxy or pearly.

Transparency: Crystals are transparent to mostly translucent.

Crystal System: Orthorhombic; 2 m m.

Crystal Habits: Nodular, concretionary, radial, encrusting and stalactitic formations among other similar types..

Cleavage: Good in one direction (pinacoidal).

Fracture: Uneven

Hardness: 6 to 6.5

Specific Gravity: 2.9

Streak: White

Associated Minerals: Datolite, gyrolite, fluorapophyllite, quartz, calcite, copper, pectolite, stilbite and other zeolites.

Best Field Indicators: Crystal habit, color, cleavage, hardness and associations.