Rare Dianite - Named After Princess Diana
Dianite is a relatively rare stone, also known as Blue Jade or Siberian Blue Jade, although both names are misnomers.
Dianite was discovered in 1997 in the Murun Complex, Republic of Sakha, a vast region in eastern Siberia known for its harsh climate and rich mineral deposits.
The Murun Complex is a highly alkaline intrusive complex, meaning it was formed when magma, rich in alkali metals like sodium and potassium, cooled and solidified beneath the Earth’s surface.
This geological formation dates back to the Mesozoic Era, approximately 150-200 million years ago, and is famous for its unique and rare minerals, such as charoite and arfvedsonite. (The spots in Dalmatian Jasper are arfvedsonite.)
Dianite is far rarer and, therefore, considerably more expensive than charoite.
Dianite was named after Diana, Princess of Wales because it was discovered in 1997, the year that she died. Although Blue Jade and Siberian Jade are trade names, both are geologically incorrect.
These names likely arose because, when polished, the smooth, shiny surface of Dianite is said to be similar to Jade. Using a trade name that includes 'Jade' enables mineral dealers to capitalise on the prestige and popularity of jade while boosting the commercial appeal of Dianite.
Some articles claim Dianite is a rare variety of Nephrite Jade, which is incorrect. Dianite has no geological connection to Jade.
Dianite's colour varies from greyish-blue to light blue to dark blue, and stones often feature subtle white markings, possibly from feldspar.
This rare stone, which is a rock, not a mineral, is one of only a few monomineralic rocks, meaning they're composed almost entirely of one type of mineral.
Other examples of monomineralic rocks include limestone, composed primarily of the mineral calcite, and marble, a metamorphic rock also composed of calcite but altered by heat and pressure.
Rock salt is also a monomineralic rock composed almost entirely of the mineral halite.
These finely polished Dianite crystals are smaller tumbled stones, but size does vary from piece to piece.
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