Category Mineral variety Color Black, grey Cleavage Perfect on 210 | Formula mass 780.82 gm Twinning None | |
Formula
(repeating unit) (Mg
2)(Mg
5)Si
8O
22(OH)
2 | ||
Nuummite is a rare metamorphic rock that consists of the amphibole minerals gedrite and anthophyllite. It is named after the area of Nuuk in Greenland, where it was found.
Contents
Description
Nuummite is usually black in colour and opaque. It consists of two amphiboles, gedrite and anthophyllite, which form exsolution lamellae that give the rock its typical iridescence. Other common minerals in the rock are pyrite, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite, which form shimmering yellow bands in polished specimens.
In Greenland the rock was formed by two consecutive metamorphic overprints of an originally igneous rock. The intrusion took place in the Archean around 2800 million years ago and the metamorphic overprint was dated at 2700 and 2500 million years ago.
History
The rock was first discovered in 1810 in Greenland by the mineralogist K. L. Giesecke. It was defined scientifically by O. B. Bøggild between 1905 and 1924. True Nuummite is only found in Greenland. Due to its iridescent nature, this rare stone is sought after by gemstone dealers, collectors and those interested in the esoteric. It is often sold with tumble finishing.