Rare Faceted Väyrynenite

Lisa Kennedy

At the GJX show, a set of uniquely saturated gemstones exhibited by FYI Pearl & Gem (Dallas, Texas) caught the author’s eye. Five faceted väyrynenites with weights ranging from 0.74–1.24 ct displayed a vivid, slightly orangy pink color, reminiscent of fine “padparadscha” sapphire (see above). Owner Marc Freeman explained that the stones were from Afghanistan. Their appearance aligned with previous observations describing Afghan väyrynenite as being more pink and less orange than the Pakistani material (Summer 2006 GNI, pp. 184–185).

Named after Heikki Allan Väyrynen, a professor of mineralogy from Finland, väyrynenite was recognized as a new mineral in the mid-1950s. The manganese-beryllium-phosphate (BeMn²⁺(PO₄)(OH)) typically displays a light pink to orangy pink color, and is very rarely faceted—especially in weights larger than a carat.

With a hardness of only 5 on the Mohs scale, väyrynenite is not the best choice for jewelry and is better suited for display as a prized collector gem. Still, the vibrant saturation and size of these five stones are a testament to the magical wonders of Mother Nature. Freeman has a few more pieces of rough in reserve to be cut, which will bring even more of these larger, saturated väyrynenite gemstones to the market.