Photo of Stichtite in Processed & Rough Form
Stichtite is a mineral with a hardness of 2 out of 10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness [?]. These Trigonally structured gems are made of magnesium chromium carbonate hydroxide, their full chemical compound being .
Stichtite is a purplish to pink mineral many times found mixed with green serpentine. Its a hydrated magnesium chromium carbonate hydroxide mineral.
With a hardness of 1.5 to 2 on the Mohs scale, stichtite is very soft and used mainly in carvings and ornamental pieces like necklaces or rings. Due to its softness rings and necklaces combine silver or tin to hold the smoothed down pieces in place.
The specific gravity [?] for Stichtite is 2.16, its refractive index [?] is 1.55, and its double refraction [?] is None.
History
Discovered in Tasmania, Australia, in 1910, stichtite was then named after Robert Carl Sticht a mine manager and well known metallurgist.
Industrial Usages
Stichtite is used in decorative objects and is valued for its unique color combination with serpentine. Not really an industrial mineral, but not scarce so used for lower end jewelry.
