Helenite is an exquisite and vibrant man-made gemstone crafted from volcanic ash from the famous 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington State. It is said to carry the Earth's energy, and is sometimes referred to as the "Soul of the Earth."
Known for its stunning and intense array of colors, Helenite can be found in shades of deep blue and burgundy. However, its deep green variety is the most prevalent and highly prized. Helenite is created by crushing volcanic ash and rock and fusing it at temperatures as high as 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit. Its stunning colors have made Helenite an attractive alternative to rare emerald, ruby or garnet gemstones. Helenite is named for Mount St. Helens, the Washington volcano famously known for its violent eruption on May 18, 1980. During the cleanup following that catastrophic event, Helenite was born. As workers used acetylene torches to cut through the twisted metal debris, they noticed that the gray ash was melting and transforming into a vibrant deep green color. The accidental discovery of Helenite has given the world a stunning volcanic jewel. From this great tragedy came a great beauty. Crushed volcanic rock and ash was mixed with silica, aluminum, iron, chromium and copper, melting into a form of obsidianite. Proprietary pressurization techniques produce Helenite's vibrant evergreen, burgundy and blue colors. The resulting stone is then hand faceted to create stunning pieces of jewelry. Helenite is easily cut by lapidaries. The emerald-colored stone has an excellent refraction and quartz-like durability.
LOCATION: Mount St. Helens
This striking green stone was created, under conditions of high heat and pressure, from the pulverized rock ejected by the 1980 volcanic eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington State. Some of the richest colors were produced by the 1981 and mid-80's eruptions. The colors of Helenite come from trace elements that are naturally found in volcanic rock, including chromium, iron and copper, which create the rich emerald color when fused at high temperatures.