Listvenite as gemstone

ophiolite mass caused by Paleogene magmatic activity.
Mineralogical and petrological examination of the listvenite revealed
serpentine-rich, silica-rich, and carbonate-rich varieties of the
listvenite. Typical minerals are serpentine (group), carbonates
(calcite, dolomite, and magnesite), pyrite, gersdorffite, Cr-spinel,
barite, limonite, and native Ag. Gemological analysis revealed all
serpentine varieties from Antina Čuka (serpentine-rich listvenite,
serpentine-rich listvenite with magnetite and fresh serpentinite) have
values of both refractive index and specific gravity in the range for
serpentine group minerals. A Refractive index value of 1.54 for
silica-rich variety confirms the presence of quartz. The results of
lapidary processing have proven that both listvenite from Antina
Čuka and serpentinite host rock are attractive gemstones. The
adequate types of processing of Antina Čuka listvenite are plain cut
(different-shaped cabochons) and glyptography/carving.