This pretty gem, which has a hardness of 6-6.5 on the Mohs scale, is usually light or pale green in colour, often with dark green almost black needles of Epidote. This translucent gemstone has a vitreous waxy luster and can very rarely display a cat's eye effect or chatoyancy. I’m always on the lookout for pieces like this - at the right price of course.

Prehnite derives its name from an 18th century Dutch military commander, Colonel Hendrik Von Prehn, who was the first of the colonials to bring samples of the mineral with him back to europe from South Africa. Deposits are now also mind in Mali, and Tanzania , as well as India, China and Australia.

At present prehnite is an untreated and unenhanced gemstone. Some dealers in Mumbai or Delhi may enhance the luster with a little oil, but that's about it. In terms of this gem’s healing qualities, prehnite is known as the stone for dreaming and remembering. It is also an excellent stone for aiding prophecy and prediction. But be cautious, the most accurate predictions are made available when the concerns are for one's personal spiritual growth.