Water Soluble Gems

 

There are a number of gems that are water soluble to some degree. These vary from Celestite that is very slightly water soluble to Villiaumite that is more readily soluble in water. There are a few, such as Boracite, that don't dissolve in water but slowly decompose. The more soluble of these "water soluble" gems pose a special challenge to the gem faceter. Other liquids, such as alchohol, must be used when polishing these gems. Villiaumite is probably the most challenging gem to facet with regard to water solubility. In addition to being water soluble, Villiaumite is also poisonous. There are many other minerals that are also water soluble but rarely faceted. Many gems are soluble in carbonated water or various types of acids. These gems are not listed since acids and carbonated water are not used in the faceting process.

For the most part, gems that are very slightly to slightly soluble in water require little to no special care when properly stored. Most gem collectors don't even realize that these gems are water soluble at all. All gems should be kept in a dry environment. There is also a gem that could be considered the opposite of a water soluble gem. Some Opals may be prone to "drying out" since they may contain up to 10% water.

 

Alum-(K)

 

Barite

 

Blodite

 

Boracite
Alum-(K)
(soluble)

 

Barite
(slightly soluble)

 

Blödite
(readily soluble)

 

Boracite
(slowly decomposes)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Celestite

 

Chalcanthite

 

Colemanite

 

Coquimbite
Celestine (Celestite)
(very slightly soluble)

 

Chalcanthite
(very soluble)

 

Colemanite
(slightly soluble)

 

Coquimbite
(soluble)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cryolite

 

Ettringite

 

Fluorite

 

Gaylussite
Cryolite
(slightly soluble)

 

Ettringite
(partially soluble)

 

Fluorite
(slightly soluble)

 

Gaylussite
(slightly soluble)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glauberite

 

Gypsum (Selenite)

 

Halite

 

Hanksite
Glauberite
(very slightly soluble)

 

Gypsum (Selenite)
(slightly soluble)

 

Halite
(readily soluble)

 

Hanksite
(readily soluble)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hydroboracite

 

Inderborite

 

Inyoite

 

Kaliborite
Hydroboracite
(very slightly soluble)

 

Inderborite
(soluble)

 

Inyoite
(soluble)

 

Kaliborite
(slightly soluble)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kernite

 

Krohnkite

 

Magnesite

 

Malachite
Kernite
(slowly soluble)

 

Kröhnkite
(readily soluble)

 

Magnesite
(slightly soluble)

 

Malachite
(very slightly soluble)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Melanterite

 

Natrosilite

 

Phosgenite

 

Pirssonite
Melanterite
(soluble)

 

Natrosilite
(soluble)

 

Phosgenite
(slowly decomposes)

 

Pirssonite
(soluble)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rhodochrosite

 

Salammoniac

 

Sellaite

 

Shortite
Rhodochrosite
(very slightly soluble)

 

Salammoniac
(readily soluble)

 

Sellaite
(very slightly soluble)

 

Shortite
(slowly decomposes)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Siderite

 

Sulphohalite

 

Syngenite

 

Thenardite
Siderite
(slightly soluble)

 

Sulphohalite
(slowly soluble)

 

Syngenite
(soluble)

 

Thénardite
(readily soluble)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trona

 

Villiaumite

 

 

 

 

Trona
(soluble)

 

Villiaumite
(soluble)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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