Prehnite

About Prehnite

Named after Colonel Hendrik von Prehn who brought the first specimens from South Africa in the 1780s. It is one of the first minerals described from South Africa. It has a distinctive apple-green to gray-green color. It often displays a cats eye effect when cut as cabochons. Australia produces the best material. It is relatively inexpensive. It was once called Cape emerald. It is found in vesicular basalt. It has a distinctive pearly to vitreous luster. It is popular for cabochons and carved objects.