Nepheline (eleolith) is a rock-forming mineral, potassium and sodium aluminosilicate. Crystals are rare, have a short-columnar hexagonal-prismatic shape. It belongs to the class of framework silicates, consists of potassium, sodium, orthosilicic acid. This gem is not in great demand in jewelry. Its main value is magical and healing properties.
History and origin of the mineral nepheline
As a separate mineral, nepheline began to be classified only at the beginning of the 19th century. The French mineralogist who discovered it gave the stone the name "nepheline", which means "cloud" in Greek. The scientist immersed the found sample in a solution of hydrochloric acid, after which a cloud of silica gel rose. From this came the idea of the name of the mineral.
Deposits and production
This mineral comes from igneous rocks. Its deposits are found all over the world.
On a note! The largest deposits of stone were found in Russia - in the Murmansk region, in the Altai mountains, in the Krasnoyarsk Territory.
Nepheline deposits are also found in the following countries:
- Norway
- Kenya;
- Tanzania;
- Sweden;
- Canada;
- Italy
- Germany;
- Greenland.
Small deposits of this mineral are found in the pores of volcanic rocks, frozen lava flows.
physical properties
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Formula | (Na,K)AlSiO4 |
| Hardness | 5,5 - 6 |
| Density | 2,55 - 2,66 g / cm³ |
| Syngonia | Hexagonal |
| Kink | Rough, uneven |
| Cleavage | Imperfect |
| fragility | fragile |
| Brilliance | Bold |
| transparency | Translucent or opaque |
| Color | White, water-transparent, light gray, yellowish, greenish, brownish |
The physical properties of the stone are affected by the impurities of the metals that make up its composition. Beryllium, magnesium, iron, calcium and other elements give the stone transparency, color it in different shades. Without these impurities, the mineral is gray or brown in color and does not have good external jewelry qualities.
Areas of application of nepheline stone
Nepheline is not popular in the jewelry industry. Rare transparent specimens of the mineral, dyed green, bluish or pink, are used to create jewelry.
The main areas of application of nepheline:
- Aluminum production - stone is used to obtain a clean residue.
- Production of interior decorations.
- Creation of handicrafts - ashtrays, caskets, stone coasters for writing instruments, figurines.
- Manufacture of green glass used for various inlays.
- Application in the leather and textile industry. Liquefied nepheline is impregnated with fabrics so that they become resistant to various chemicals and high temperatures. When tanning leather, the mineral is used as a reagent.
Among other things, the mineral is actively used in healing and magical activities. It is believed that despite the inconspicuous appearance, it has a strong energy.
Stone types
There are few varieties of nepheline. They are classified by color and chemical composition. Depending on the chemical properties, the following types are distinguished:
- albite;
- apatite;
- orthoclase;
- kalsilite;
- nepheline hydrate;
- potassium;
- lithium;
- sodium nepheline.
Variety of shades is small:
- Gray;
- borax;
- colorless;
- yellowish;
- bluish;
- pale green;
- brown;
- pinkish.
In addition to the chemical composition, the shade of the stone is also affected by its place of extraction, the depth of occurrence.
Medicinal properties
For medicinal purposes, this mineral is used by official medicine, traditional healers and lithotherapists. It is believed that the stone helps in the following cases:
- Contributes to the normalization of metabolism.
- It has a calming effect on the nervous system, relieves tension, relieves anxiety and stress.
- It has a positive effect on the skin, helps in getting rid of infectious diseases, various pathologies.
- It returns a strong healthy sleep to a person, drives away apathy and depression.
- Normalizes the work of the gastrointestinal tract, increases appetite.
- Relieves eye strain, helps restore vision. To do this, small polished stones are applied to the eyelids, and the mineral is also closely examined for several minutes a day.
- It tones the body, accelerates the recovery of health after a long illness, taking strong medicines.
On a note! Lithotherapists use polished nepheline for massage. In their opinion, it is able to get rid of salt deposits, effective in the treatment of osteochondrosis.
It is believed that green and yellow shades of nepheline have the highest healing properties.
Magical properties
Psychics, magicians and esotericists distinguish various magical properties of nepheline, but first of all, it is used for protective purposes:
- conspiracies are recited on the stone so that it protects its owner from the evil eye, evil wishes, envy, hostile magical effects;
- the raw mineral is laid in the foundation during the construction of the house, it is believed that in this case it will be a family amulet;
- nepheline is hung at the front door, at the head of the bed, so that it drives away negative energy.
It is also believed that the magic of the stone helps a person develop his talents and abilities, gain self-confidence. Therefore, psychics recommend it as an amulet to representatives of creative professions.
Magicians believe that this mineral is able to enhance their energy, develop extrasensory abilities. They keep this mineral with them in the hope of gaining the ability to predict the future, to comprehend the secrets of this world.
Talismans, charms, amulets
Nepheline It is most favorable to wear for people who are self-confident, purposeful in their actions, which go ahead. This mineral will allow such people to find their destiny without destroying everything in their path, bypassing all hardships and problematic situations with a touch of humor.
Shy people are recommended to wear a talisman made of nepheline, which will give the owner charisma and help to find a common language with interlocutors.
It is also important to choose the right shape of the stone and the metal for cutting it.
Career-minded people should use triangular, parallelogram, square, prism figures in gold or platinum frames. For those whose goal is to start a family and give birth to children, round-shaped figures framed in gold or silver are suitable. Students, schoolchildren and people involved in science and education are recommended to wear rings with nepheline. It allows people of creative professions to find a muse and follow the path of personal development.
Compatible with other stones
Until now, astrologers have not identified the features of the energy connection between nepheline and other gems. Stone is rarely used in jewelry, so there is no reliable information about its combinations with precious and semi-precious crystals.
Jewelry with mineral
Jewelry with nepheline inlays is very rare. Not every master is able to properly process this fragile mineral, and the cost of complex work does not pay off with the final price of the product.
Basically, nepheline is sold in the form of handicrafts and raw pebbles. For one such nugget weighing 70-100 grams, on average, they pay $ 4-6. The price of crafts and polished stones increases two to three times, depending on the weight of the product.
How to distinguish a fake
The cost of nepheline is so low that it is not imitated with artificial materials, it is not faked. But the stone can be confused with feldspar, quartz. Unlike spar, this mineral is characterized by a lower degree of transparency, the absence of cleavage. It is distinguished from quartz by its characteristic impurities and structure.
How to wear and how to care for products
Nepheline is a rather fragile stone that requires careful handling.
- It must be protected from impacts, scratches, friction against other more durable minerals;
- strong heating of the stone should not be allowed;
- it is forbidden to use abrasive detergents to clean the crystals;
- you need to protect the stone from contact with acids.
Store the crystal separately from other gems. It is wrapped in a soft fleecy cloth or placed in a special bag.
Compatibility by zodiac signs
Nepheline is best suited to the following zodiac signs:
- Taurus - helps to establish relationships with family and work colleagues, teaches its owner to better understand other people, be more flexible, sociable.
- Aries - will serve as a good amulet, allowing you to foresee troubles in advance, protect its owner from numerous mistakes and mistakes.
For the rest of the signs of the zodiac, this mineral has an average degree of compatibility. It does not help everyone, only those with whom a strong energy connection will be established.
Important! Among the entire zodiac circle, there are no signs that this stone would harm. At worst, it will be neutral, useless.
Water signs of the zodiac: Pisces, Cancer, Scorpio, it is better to use stones of gray, brown, white.
Fiery - Leo, Sagittarius, Aries, choose talismans with brown, brown, pink or red nepheline stones.
Earthly - Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn, use green or brown minerals.
Interesting about the stone
Several interesting facts are connected with nepheline:
- Despite the fact that the mineral was classified only in the 19th century, people from ancient times used it in the construction of new housing - they laid pebbles under the threshold and in doorways to protect the new home.
- Nepheline powder is used in agriculture as a fertilizer for soils with high acidity.
- The largest deposits of the mineral are in the Khibiny deposit, which is located on the territory of the Russian Federation.
Despite its prevalence in nature, nepheline is easily destroyed and weathered, replaced by other rocks.
