Maw
Sit Sit
Consumer Information
What color is it?: A rich dark green with black mottled spots throughout is the color in which this stone occurs.
What is the story behind this gemstone?: It was first thought to be a type of jade but it is actually a combination rock of several types of minerals including jade and chromite. Which won't mean anything to consumers. So just think of it as a really pretty and unusual gemstone with a very, very weird name.
Can I wear it everyday?: Yes. The jade family of stones is very durable under a lot of wear and tear.
Is it expensive?: Not very expensive. About the same price as a nice piece of jadeite.
Is it a birthstone?: Excuse me? Can you image having someone ask you your birthstone and having to say its Maw-Sit-Sit?
What do I need to know before going shopping?: You will probably have trouble finding this stone. So look for an independent professional jeweler who sells a lot of other types of colored gemstones. Chances are this will be the jeweler who can find one of these rare and unusual stones.
General Information
Source: From a place called Maw Sit Sit in upper Myanmar.
Chemical: Combination of elements
Formation: Unknown at this time
Crystal System: None
Unusual Properties: Its name is enough.
Gemological Information
RI: 1.52
Birefringence: None
Optic Character:
Specific Gravity: Varies 2.50 - 3.10
Hardness: Approx 8
Transparency: Opaque
Special Identifying Properties and Tests: Intense green color mottled with dark green and black make this stone easy to identify since there is little that will emulate the intensity of the color.
Synthetics: None
Imitations: I cannot image any