Haüyn/Hauyne natural mineral 16ct, Afghanistan

Haüyn (hauyne) is a rare and beautiful blue gemstone that belongs to the sodalite group of minerals, the same group that includes lapis lazuli, the main component of lapis lazuli. Haüyn is characterized by its distinctive blue color, which can be deep, often with a subtle hint of green or gray.

Color: Most often blue, from light blue to dark blue with a possible hint of green. Less often, it can also be found in white, gray or green.
Hardness: It has a rating of 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making it relatively soft for use in jewelry.
Transparency: Can be translucent to opaque, depending on the quality of the sample. Translucent blue pieces are the most prized.
Chemical composition: It is a silicate of sodium, aluminum and calcium with an admixture of sulphur.

Afghanistan is one of the places where blue haüyn is found, especially in an area where lapis lazuli is also mined. Specific deposits are found mainly in Badakhshan, a famous region in northeastern Afghanistan that has been known for thousands of years for its rare minerals.