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Binghamite (also called silkstone and cuyunite) is a type of chalcedony found only on the Cuyuna Range (near Crosby) in Crow Wing County, Minnesota.^[1] The stone occurs near deposits of iron ore.

Description

Mining in the area uncovered deposits of the stone, but since mining operations were discontinued in the area many years ago the stone has become fairly rare. The stone has areas that are highly chatoyant similar to pietersite or tiger's eye. It is a variety of chalcedony with fibers of goethite or hematite usually in colors of red, gold, and black. The highest quality binghamite compares with pietersite for color and chatoyancy. When the stone's pattern is arranged in parallel bands it is called silkstone. Binghamite is named after William Bingham, a lapidarist, who discovered it in 1936.

References

^ Binghamite on Mindat

Schumann, Walter (2007). Gemstones of the World. Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. ISBN 1-4027-4016-6.

[1] Binghamite on Mindat

[1]

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+[[File:Binghamite.jpg|thumb|upright|Binghamite]]
-Binghamite (also called silkstone and cyunite) is a type of agate stone found only on the Cuyuna iron range (near Crosby) in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. The formation of the stone occurs near deposits of iron ore and mining in the area uncovered deposits of the stone. Since mining operations were discontinued in the area many years ago the stone is fairly rare and sought after by lapidarists and gem collectors. The stone has areas that are highly chatoyant similar to Pietersite or Tiger's Eye. It is a quartz with fibers of goethite in colors of red, gold, black. There are also other more rare colors. The best Binghamite compares with top Pietersite for color and chatoyancy. When the stone's pattern is arranged in level lines it is called Silkstone. Binghamite shows crystal growth in all directions. It is named after Bill Bingham, a lapidarist, who discovered it in 1936.
+'''Binghamite''' (also called '''silkstone''' and '''cuyunite''') is a type of [[chalcedony]] found only on the [[Cuyuna Range]] (near [[Crosby, Minnesota|Crosby]]) in [[Crow Wing County, Minnesota|Crow Wing County]], [[Minnesota]].<ref>[https://www.mindat.org/min-7622.html Binghamite on Mindat]</ref> The stone occurs near deposits of [[iron ore]].
+==Description==
+[[File:Binghamite (Cuyuna North Range, Minnesota, USA).jpg|thumb|left|Binghamite, Cuyuna North Range, Minnesota, USA]]
+Mining in the area uncovered deposits of the stone, but since mining operations were discontinued in the area many years ago the stone has become fairly rare. The stone has areas that are highly [[chatoyant]] similar to pietersite or [[tiger's eye]]. It is a variety of [[chalcedony]] with fibers of [[goethite]] or [[hematite]] usually in colors of red, gold, and black. The highest quality binghamite compares with pietersite for color and [[chatoyancy]]. When the stone's pattern is arranged in parallel bands it is called silkstone. Binghamite is named after William Bingham, a [[lapidarist]], who discovered it in 1936.
+==References==
+{{reflist}}
+*{{cite book |last= Schumann|first=Walter  |title=Gemstones of the World |year=2007 |publisher=Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. |isbn=1-4027-4016-6 }}
+[[Category:Crow Wing County, Minnesota]]
+[[Category:Geology of Minnesota]]
+[[Category:Agates]]