Xonotlit

This mineral of the pyroxenoid family, named after the place of the first find - Tetela de Xonotla (Tetela de Xonotla, Puebla, Mexico), very often forms crystal-grained, unremarkable masses, but sometimes in the form of spherulitic aggregates of needle-like crystals, it can act as a decorative collection material . Even more rarely, xonotlite in the form of dense tangled fibrous aggregates forms a beautiful ornamental and even ornamental jewelry material. In the form of an ornamental stone, semi-translucent and translucent tangled-fibrous aggregates of xonotlite are used, which are most often white, light gray and pale yellow, pale blue and pale pink stones are also found. The best grades of ornamental stone have a silky sheen. The hardness of xonotlite is not very high, but due to the fibrous aggregate, this stone becomes quite viscous, easy to process, outwardly resembles the best varieties of white and pale yellow nephrites from Kun-Lun and Khotan. But some stones (usually colorless) may have sufficient transparency to make collectible faceted stones and cabochons. Of course, faceted cuts, apart from being rare, can do little to please lovers, but cabochons sometimes have the optical effect of a "cat's eye".