| When calsilica first appeared on the fashion jewelry | | | | seams of the volcanic rhyolite in the mine. |
| scene several years ago, it made quite a splash! With | | | | Calsilica was thought to be a form of microcrystalline |
| its bright, vivid, and varied colors, it is not hard to | | | | calcite, with various clay minerals as the bonding |
| understand why calsilica captured the imagination of | | | | agents. Supposedly, the mine in Mexico would send out |
| jewelry designer as well as jewelry wearers alike. | | | | letters of authentication and photographs of the mine. |
| Calsilica earrings, silver pendants, rings, and other items | | | | Now there are rumors of a spectacular deposit of |
| were often the stars at gem and jewelry shows. | | | | natural calsilica in China. In 2003, the Swiss Gemological |
| So what is calsilica and where does it come from? | | | | Institute ( ) published a brief note on calsilica in one of |
| The general consensus is that calsilica is a man-made | | | | their newsletters. SSEF purchased two specimens at |
| amalgamation of various minerals and stone | | | | a mineral show in France in 2002. The seller produced |
| fragments that are held together with resin. Often, the | | | | photographs of the mine in Mexico, along with a |
| powder and fragments are deposited under water | | | | authentication letter from a US laboratory stating that |
| and compressed to form cake. The cake is dried and | | | | the materials were not man-made. They found that |
| infused with resin. Once the resin hardens, varies | | | | the base white materials were indeed a calcite. |
| pieces are cut from the block, and then polished to | | | | However, they also found that man-made coloring |
| achieve the desired sheen. Since calsilica is man-made | | | | pigments within the specimens. More importantly, SSEF |
| there very well could be other processes used in its | | | | found that the particles were bonded together by a |
| manufacture. | | | | transparent soft, plastic-like material that was very |
| Although many claim that calsilica (or "rainbow calsilica" | | | | similar to paraffin wax. |
| as it is sometimes called), is a naturally occurring | | | | The preponderance of the scientific evidence |
| material, there is little evidence to support this claim. | | | | therefore indicates that calsilica is a man-made |
| The most persistent claim (and it still persists today!) | | | | material. Nonetheless, good calsilica specimens are |
| was that calsilica was mined in Chihuahua, Mexico. | | | | pretty, and can be used to make attractive, |
| Calsilica was allegedly discovered in the veins or | | | | inexpensive fashion jewelry. |