Gemmology of Some New Varieties of Shoushan Stone

Some new varieties of Shoushan stone in the recent gem market,such as Erhao-kuang stone,Wenyang stone,Shanzilai stone,Fanglongyan stone,Shanxiuyuan stone and Furong stone,have been studied.The density,hardness and mineral constituents were examinedsystematically.The results show that Erhaokuang stone,Fanglongyan stone and Dashan stone are made up of dickite;Lianjianghuang stone,Shanzilai stone and Wenyang stone contain illite as a dominant constituent mineral,and Shanxiuyuan stone and Furong stone are mainly composed of pyrophyllite.A new suggestion is proposed that Shoushan stone,on the basis of the mineral constituents,is put into four groups——Tian stone group,Gaoshan stone group,Yueyang stone group and Lianjianghuang stone group.