Russian eudialyte is a unique collector's stone known for its rich, extraordinary color. This exquisite stone is sourced from the Kola Peninsula in Russia, where the earth is rich in some of the most fascinating minerals and gemstones in the world.
The swirling carmine-red color of Russian eudialyte has inspired some gem dealers to call the stone "Dragon's Blood." Eudialyte is a complicated silicate mineral that forms opaque granular clusters in alkaline igneous rocks. Eudialyte can form translucent crystals on occasion, but they are very rarely gem quality. The name eudialyte derives from the Greek phrase "eu dialytos," meaning easily dissolved. Strong acids can easily damage the alkaline mixture of minerals in the stone. Eudialyte contains many alkaline elements like sodium, calcium and manganese, and transitional elements like cerium, yttrium and iron that are stable in an alkaline environment. If dipped into hydrochloric acid, this stone will gelatinize. One of the most important building blocks of eudialyte is the coveted element zirconium. Eudialyte is considered a potential source of future zirconium reserves. Eudialyte was discovered in 1819 in the Julianehaab district of Greenland. Russian eudialyte has large translucent to opaque dark red crystals, but may also include light brown, black, blue, grey, white, yellow, pink and red-violet.
LOCATION: Russian
Premium specimens of Russian eudialyte are mined on the Kola Peninsula in Russia. This area has a large array of rare alkali metals and minerals dating back to 360 million years ago. These elements typically do not align well with ordinary minerals and must be delayed in order to crystalize. With restrictive and elaborate formation requirements, Russian eudialyte is truly a delicate and unique gem.