Epidote

Description

Epidote has a hardness of 6 and a specific gravity of 3.38 – 3.49. Named in 1801 by Rene Just Haüy from the Greek επιδοσιζ (“epidosis”), meaning “increase”, in allusion to the crystal characteristic of one longer side at the base of the prism.

According to WebMineral, Epidote is comprised of roughly 40% Oxygen, 24% Iron, 16% Silicon, 15% Calcium, 4% Aluminum, and a trace of Hydrogen, and while normally this would make for a great specimen for anyone looking to collect any of those elements as they’re found in nature, this will likely find its home with a Colorado rock collector.

Wikipedia states that Epidote is “an abundant rock-forming mineral, but one of secondary origin. It occurs in marble and schistose rocks of metamorphic origin. It is also a product of hydrothermal alteration of various minerals (feldspars, micas, pyroxenes, amphiboles, garnets, and others) composing igneous rocks”

While Epidote may be one of the most common gems, with 10,178 recorded significant localities on Mindat, not all Epidote gems look like this! While you can add this one to your collection, you can also go out for a hike and keep your eye out for something like this and you might just get lucky!

Or rather, just go to Ouray (pronounced “you-ray”), because then, there, no matter if you find Epidote or not, you’ll still be lucky! That’s definitely one of the most beautiful places on this planet. But, being as small and quaint and quiet and peaceful and relaxing, it’s a bit of a secret, so don’t tell anyone!