Prehnite is another gemstone that seems to be surrounded by some confusion. I have seen prehnite referred to as a type of garnet, or as an alternative name for tourmalated/tourmalinated quartz. I have also seen prehnite consistently misspelled as phrenite, pernite, and prenite. Prehnite is not a type of garnet or quartz; it is a calcium aluminum silicate mineral. Prehnite is a phyllosilicate. It is typically yellow-green to brown-yellow in color. (Most of the prehnite I have purchased is a celery green color.) Prehnite ranges from transparent to translucent. Prehnite does not sparkle, but it has a glow that I personally find very soothing to look at. Some prehnite exhibits a cat’s eye effect, and is best cut en cabochon.

Prehnite has a Moh’s hardness of 6-6 1/2 (about the same hardness as quartz, sometimes a bit less). It has a good cleavage, making it easier to break (and therefore less durable) than quartz.

Deposits of prehnite are found in Australia, China, Scotland, South Africa, and the United States (Schumann, Gemstones of the World.) Prehnite is found in hydrothermally altered rocks. It is associated with xeolite minerals (although it is not a xeolite mineral itself.)

More information on prehnite can be found at the mineral galleries site and webmineral.

Google image results for prehnite.

Metaphysical information on prehnite.

Many people have been asking me lately about my migraines, so I’ve decided to go ahead and post an update on my blog.

For just over a month, I’ve been taking Migrelief (a combination of feverfew, magnesium, and B2), and Co Q-10 supplements. My migraines have generally been less severe, but I’m still getting about 3 migraines a week. (I should really track my migraines more carefully and scientifically!)

I’ve decided to increase my dosage of Co Q-10, and I’m adding a vegetarian Omega-3 supplement to the mix. I plan to post another update after taking these for about a month. Wish me luck!

Daily medications and supplements