Can Nuummite Go in Water? (Yes, But...)

Can nuummite be put in water for an extended period?

Generally, the stone does fine in water.

In fact, most people find it in wet conditions given the locations where it tends to be in quantity, with the iridescent flecks making the stone noticeable to the quick eye.

That being said, extended soaking can harm minerals and crystals, even those that handle the water well.

In this article, you’ll learn more about Nuummite , and how well it handles exposure to water.

Can Nuummite Go in Water? (EXPLAINED)

Putting Stones In Water Generally

In general, harder stones can endure water baths and soaks, while softer stones may struggle.

There’s no hard and fast rule, but stones before 5 on the Moh’s Scale of Hardness shouldn’t spend any significant time in water, while those above a 5 may be more water tolerant, specimen chemical formula not withstanding.

Nuummite is general rated in the range of 5-6 for hardness level.

This means that it is a harder stone in the scheme of things, and is less likely to have trouble when placed in water.

That being said, even the hardest stones can be damaged when placed in water, especially if the soaks are extended and regular.

Over time, water baths can encourage the expansion of microscopic cracks in the surface of the stone, which can then subsequently lead to fracturing or breakage.

Water baths can also change the surface color and appearance of the material, leaving it looking dull after removal from the bath and dried.

Water soaks can also encourage the formation of yellowing or rusty colors in materials that contain some metals, though it may not be obvious to your eyes that your material contains them.

For these reasons, even when we say that a stone is “water tolerant” we don’t generally soak are favorite rocks or crystals in water for any significant period of time.

Background Information About Nuummite

Nuummite is known as a type of metamorphic rock, often found in areas where there was prior volcanic activity.

It falls in the family of gemstones, but it is not a crystal-type rock per se.

Nuummite tends to be an aggregate of other materials given how it was created in magma or similar high heat and pressure situations billions of years before, including components of anthophyllite, chalcopyrite, gexrite, pyrite and pyrrhotine.

The actual molecular structure of nuummite is fibrous in nature versus crystalline or cubic.

This is an uncommon form of metamorphic rock and a result of the temperature level it formed at.

Many other types of metamorphic rock tend to have a very different structure, forming at higher temperatures, such as obsidian.

Unlike many other minerals and rocks, nuummite has not been a well-known rock.

It only entered the geology world and reference widescale in the 1980s, which is a bit unusual for rocks in general.

Most have been studied and referenced for hundreds of years, but nuummite is that odd bird that got away for a long time until someone realized they were looking at something different.

Part of the obscurity and ability for the rock to stay “hidden” was the fact that most nuummite is located in Greenland, a large mass of arctic land in the North Atlantic that is practically uninhabitable, being so cold and desolate and void of any kind of wildlife or sustainable regions.

Physical Properties and Aspects

In terms of description and details, nuummite is best described as a rock with a generally dark body mass flecked with iridescent bits that flicker in the light.

Not all the stones are almost black though; many tend to be light gray to dark gray, and the flecks can range widely from a yellow gold to a meta blue and even violet.

The rarest of nuummite have a full range of colors in the flecks, but most tend to be one if maybe two colors at most.

Overall, the stone is solid and has no transparency at all.

Most sourcing of the stone comes from the Nuuk area of Greenland on the west side of the arctic continent, but it’s possible nuummite could be in other locations in the world too, likely desolate as well.

Those nuummite stones that are exposed to the elements and weathering are often cracked or split, but nuummite harvested deeper in the ground tend to be frequently solid and complete.

Utilization, Trade and Crafting

Nuummite tends to be a workable stone.

For trade purposes it’s frequently polished and cut to maximize the color play in the rock.

It can be created in hand-size samples as well as cut into specific shapes or used for sculpture.

In most case, the stone doesn’t require any kind of special treatment aside from removing the dirt and grit and bringing out the shine in the stone layer.

Historically, nuummite is estimated to be one of the first and oldest type of rocks to be found on Earth.

Much of this determination comes from the geological study of the stone type, how it was formed in transformative processes deep inside the planet, and the likelihood of when much of that change occurred.

Again, much of the stone is found in Greenland, which as a land mass type showed signs of ancient volcanic activity and land mass pressure shifting, all the ingredients needed to create a stone like nuummite.

Trade-wise, much of what is harvested in nuummite tends to be used for jewelry purposes, accessories and unique art pieces.

The stone is frequently used in ring settings, pendants, bead jewelry, and earrings.

Because of the dark and strong polish the stone produces, it can be used for jewelry intended for either gender, providing a wider market than other stones tend to be.

Durability and Nature of the Stone in Use

As noted above, nuummite can take a beating and do just fine.

Being found generally in Greenland where ice and water are the norm, nuummite has held up quite fine to moisture and provide a very durable stone to work with.

In most cases, when cleaning is needed, simple water and soap does the trick.

Avoid fancy equipment such as steamers or ultrasonic cleaners as they may cause a microscopic crack to actually widen and become a problem.

Nuummite is not indestructible, however.

So, owners should avoid wearing the stone when engaged in hard, manual work or exercising.

Nuummite can also scratch and chip when impacted with other harder stones.

Like any kind of valuable jewelry, the best way to store the stone and setting tends to be in a cloth-lined jewelry box for safe-keeping.

Greenland’s Durable Export

So, in summary, can nuummite go in water?

The short answer is yes. Long-term exposure is not advised as the rock may eventually weather and crack, especially when the water changes temperatures.

For everyday use and wear, nuummite tends to be fine and will hold up far better than other stone types.

However, it should not be relied on as a hard surface for any kind of impact work or similar.