Gems TV

KORNERUPINE

Kornerupine (also known as Prismatine) was discovered in Fiskernaes, Greenland in 1884 and was named after the Danish geologist and explorer Andreas N. Kornerup (1857-1881). It is a rare gemstone well known for its pleochroism (different colours seen from different viewing angles) and its green colour, which can be as intense as Emerald.

Legends and lore

Among crystal healers, Kornerupine is considered a gemstone for teaching and communication. Kornerupine is also said to help stabilise the emotional swings of manic-depressives and assist in seeing through the false agreements in one’s current reality.

Just the facts

A metamorphic mineral, Kornerupine is a complex magnesium aluminium borosilicate whose crystals are often found in alluvial deposits collected behind rocks or in the bends of rivers. Kornerupine is often deposited with other gems including Sapphire, Chrysoberyl, Ruby, Topaz, Garnet, Zircon, Diopside, Andalusite, Spinel and Iolite.

While Kornerupine has a similar but slightly higher index of refraction than Emeralds, as well as their characteristic inclusions, the two gems are easily distinguished by Kornerupine’s pleochroism. Depending on the angle from which Kornerupine is viewed, its colours can range from brown, colourless, green, greenish-yellow, yellow, pink or lavender. However, wherever possible Kornerupine is faceted on the green axis as this coloration is its rarest and most coveted colour.

Kornerupine also occasionally exhibits chatoyancy or the cat’s eye effect. When polished as cabochons Kornerupine can display a reflection effect that appears as a single bright band of light across its surface. This effect is caused by inclusions of fine, slender parallel fibres in the gem.

While Kornerupine is a rare gem that used to be limited to collections, it is now becoming increasingly popular in jewellery due to its suitability for everyday wear.