Okenite Gem Guide and Properties Chart

Okenite

By Tim Matthews, JD, FGA, GG, DGA,
CEO and President of JTV (retired)

Published: June 2014

Modified: October 2021

Named for the German biologist Lorenz Oken. Specimens often found as “cotton ball” formations because the crystals are straight and fibrous and they radiate out in orb like structures.

General Information

Classification
Optical Properties
Characteristic Physical Properties
Chemistry & Crystallography

Common Name

Okenite

Species

Okenite

Transparency

Translucent-Transparent

Refractive Index

1.512-1.542

Birefringence

0.003- 0.010

Optic Character

Biaxial

Optic Sign

Negative

Fluorescence

SWUV: Inert
LWUV: Inert

Pleochroism

None, None

Hardness

4.5-5

Streak

White

Luster

Pearly, Vitreous

Stability

Brittle

Fracture

Conchoidal

Cleavage

Good, perfect

Chemical Name

calcium silicate hydrates

Chemical Formula

Ca₃[Si₆O₁₅]•6(H₂O)

Crystal System

Triclinic

Chemistry Classification

Silicate

Okenite Colors

Blue
Gray
White
Yellow

Countries of Origin

Russian Federation; Romania; Hungary; United States of America; United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Iceland; Costa Rica; India; New Zealand; Azerbaijan; Canada; Austria; Unknown; Norway; Denmark; Italy; Mexico; Antarctica; Australia; Chile; Germany

Care

Extremely fragile