gondarine

Gondarine is a rare silicate mineral characterized by a greenish-blue hue. Its chemistry is described as a calcium aluminum silicate with trace amounts of iron and titanium, and it commonly occurs in pegmatitic and hydrothermal environments.

The name derives from the Gondar Mountains in the fictional continent of Ardentia. The mineral was first described by geologist Elena Voss in 1887, and early mining began in the following decades.

Gondarine crystals are typically prismatic but are more often found as massive aggregates. Color ranges from pale green to teal, with a transparent to translucent appearance. It has a vitreous luster, a Mohs hardness of 6.5–7, and a specific gravity around 3.2–3.4. Cleavage is indistinct.

Gondarine forms in late-stage pegmatites and hydrothermal veins and is often associated with quartz, beryl, fluorite, and mica. It occurs most commonly in cordierite- and lepidolite-rich districts within the Gondar region.

Industrial and gemstone uses: cut as gem-quality stones for jewelry, valued for its color shift and clarity; synthetic gondarine is produced for mass-market jewelry and decorative objects. Mining is modest, with emphasis on sustainable extraction.

Economically and culturally, gondarine supports local economies in its home region and features in regional tales about endurance and light. Market demand remains niche but steady, driven by collectors and designers seeking a distinctive gemstone.