Hiddenite Micro Specimen in a Magnifying Box

🌎 Source: North Caroline, USA Hiddenite is an incredibly rare, vibrant green gemstone and a chromium-bearing variety of the spodumene mineral family. Discovered in 1879 in North Carolina, it is prized by collectors for its emerald-like hue and intense brilliance. History & Discovery The Edison Connection: The gemstone was discovered in 1879 by exploration geologist William Earl Hidden. He was originally sent to North Carolina by Thomas Edison to search for platinum for early lightbulb filaments. While they never found platinum, they discovered this vibrant green mineral. The "Lithia Emerald": Because of its striking, vivid green color, the stone was originally nicknamed the "lithia emerald". It was later officially named "hiddenite" in honor of its discoverer. The Town: The small community of Hiddenite, North Carolina (where the gemstone was found) was actually named after the mineral itself. Geological & Physical Properties Color Source: Unlike other green gems, true hiddenite gets its distinct color from trace amounts of chromium (the same element that gives emeralds their color). Hardness: It measures \(6.5\) to \(7.0\) on the Mohs hardness scale. Pleochroism: Like its close cousin kunzite (the pink variety of spodumene), hiddenite is strongly pleochroic, meaning the stone can appear to show different colors (like deeper green, yellow, or colorless) when viewed from different angles. Sensitivity: Hiddenite stones are photosensitive and can fade if exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods. Rarity & Value True Hiddenite: Strict mineralogists consider only the chromium-colored spodumene from North Carolina to be true hiddenite, although similar stones are occasionally sourced from Brazil, Madagascar, and Afghanistan. Synthetics: It is one of the few precious gemstones that cannot be synthesized in a lab. Market Value: Because of its rarity, facetable hiddenite is highly sought after by collectors, with fine deep-green specimens fetching premium prices