Calsilica is a brightly colored “stones” that first appeared in the world of fashion jewelry just over 10 years ago. With its bright, vivid, and varied colors, it is not hard to understand why calsilica captured the imagination of jewelry designer as well as jewelry wearers alike. It made quite a splash and gem and jewelry stores when it first showed up. Calsilica earrings, silver pendants, rings, and other items were often the stars at gem and jewelry shows.
Over the years, there has been a fair bit of speculation on the origin and nature of calsilica. The most persistent rumors were that calsilica was a natural material that was being mined in the Mexican state of Chihuahua, and that calsilica was essentially a form of calcite with minerals that caused the brightly-colored layers so characteristic of the “stone”. The mine would send you pictures of the mining process, and “experts” issued letters of authentication stating that the “stones” showed no evidence of being manmade. Gemologists in Europe debunked that theory in 2002. Gemologists at the Swiss Gemological Institute examined two specimens of calsilica purchased at a gem fair in France. They found that the particles were held together by a material that was very similar to paraffin. They even found traces of man-made coloring agents within the specimens. So the general consensus today is that calsilica is a man-made amalgamation of various minerals and stone fragments that are held together with resin. Often, the powder and fragments are deposited under water and compressed to form cake. The cake is dried and infused with resin. Once the resin hardens, varies pieces are cut from the block, and then polished to achieve the desired sheen.
There is little evidence to suggest that calsilica is a naturally occurring material. Nonetheless, good calsilica specimens are pretty, and can be used to make attractive, inexpensive fashion jewelry.
Over the years, there has been a fair bit of speculation on the origin and nature of calsilica. The most persistent rumors were that calsilica was a natural material that was being mined in the Mexican state of Chihuahua, and that calsilica was essentially a form of calcite with minerals that caused the brightly-colored layers so characteristic of the “stone”. The mine would send you pictures of the mining process, and “experts” issued letters of authentication stating that the “stones” showed no evidence of being manmade. Gemologists in Europe debunked that theory in 2002. Gemologists at the Swiss Gemological Institute examined two specimens of calsilica purchased at a gem fair in France. They found that the particles were held together by a material that was very similar to paraffin. They even found traces of man-made coloring agents within the specimens. So the general consensus today is that calsilica is a man-made amalgamation of various minerals and stone fragments that are held together with resin. Often, the powder and fragments are deposited under water and compressed to form cake. The cake is dried and infused with resin. Once the resin hardens, varies pieces are cut from the block, and then polished to achieve the desired sheen.
There is little evidence to suggest that calsilica is a naturally occurring material. Nonetheless, good calsilica specimens are pretty, and can be used to make attractive, inexpensive fashion jewelry.
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