Brazilian Petalite

sunshine 919 · ‎12-22-2013

Has anyone heard of this stone? If so what do you think of it. Chuck has a beautiful ring on Evine. I have never heard of Petalite.

Sammycat1 · ‎03-09-2010

Hi Yellow, yes I've heard of it. It's somewhat rare but when faceted properly, the colorless version can make for nice pieces. You'll note that the smaller the stone, the more sparkle.

It has around the same refractive index (sparkle power/fire) of stones like amethyst and topaz; a little softer than those but not by much. It is an untreated stone and has the cleavage, or split of the crystal, shaped like a leaf.... hence the "petal" part of the name. Here's a PDF by the GIA.

Technical but a starting point for you:

https://s3.amazonaws.com/gubelin/petalite-35463.pdf

sunshine 919 · ‎12-22-2013

@Sammycat1 wrote:
Hi Yellow, yes I've heard of it. It's somewhat rare but when faceted properly, the colorless version can make for nice pieces. You'll note that the smaller the stone, the more sparkle.

It has around the same refractive index (sparkle power/fire) of stones like amethyst and topaz; a little softer than those but not by much.

Here's a PDF by the GIA. Technical but a starting point for you:

https://s3.amazonaws.com/gubelin/petalite-35463.pdf

Thank you Sammycat,the ring that he is presentating is lovely. The other pieces are lovely too..

Sammycat1 · ‎03-09-2010

Yellow,

I added to my earlier reply -- it's an untreated stone. I like white zircon for it's fire, but as it increases in size it often gets milky or cloudy -- petalite does not do that.

Natasha218 · ‎07-23-2017

Yes, I have seen it on ShopLC several times. JTV also sells it. It was funny to hear Chuck talk like it was a new discovery that only he has. HSN probably has it too, they sell a lot of jewelry. The stones looked dull and lifeless to me. Diamond cut white topaz looks better. I'd rather have white zircon for my natural diamond substitute. JTV also sells created white sapphire. I had studs come today, they are beautiful. Look like diamonds.

sunshine 919 · ‎12-22-2013

@Natasha218 wrote:
Yes, I have seen it on ShopLC several times. JTV also sells it. It was funny to hear Chuck talk like it was a new discovery that only he has. HSN probably has it too, they sell a lot of jewelry. The stones looked dull and lifeless to me. Diamond cut white topaz looks better. I'd rather have white zircon for my natural diamond substitute. JTV also sells created white sapphire. I had studs come today, they are beautiful. Look like diamonds.

Thanks Natasha, I would never think of it as a diamond substitute. It's just a clear stone, like quartz to me. I did think the design was pretty. It reminded me of the hirkimer stones on HSN that are just kind of plane clear stones. So glad you are happy with your studs. I will check out the lab created blue sapphires. I have to agree about Chuck I have never seen him present this stone. I did think it was new, lol

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

It's pretty soft, only 6.0-6.5 on the mohs scale. Not really suitable for a ring. There are other similar stones which are more practical for jewelry.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

Blingqueen023 · ‎03-09-2010

I have his 4 carat cocktail ring he's showing today. it's a great looking sparkly stone. I love that ring. Very pretty. Wasn't expnsive at all and it looks like a million bucks.

conlt · ‎03-16-2010

I have never seen it but I read about it and decided to try the TTV bracelet and the hoop earrings. I don't think you see it often. If I don't like them, I will return but I am giving it a try.

Sammycat1 · ‎03-09-2010

@Kachina624 wrote:
It's pretty soft, only 6.0-6.5 on the mohs scale. Not really suitable for a ring. There are other similar stones which are more practical for jewelry.

Not so. Similar mohs rating to tanzanite, peridot, zircon and moonstone. It's higher than lapis and turqouise and much higher than pearl. All of these stones are successfully set in rings.