Helenite, also known as Mount St. Helens obsidian, is a gemstone made from the fused volcanic rock dust from Mount St. Helens. Helenite was first discovered accidentally after the eruption of Mount St. Helens which occured May 18, 1980. As word of the discovery spread, jewelry companies took note and began to find ways to reproduce the helenite. Helenite is made by heating rock dust and particles from the Mount St. Helens area, in a furnace to a temperature of approximately 2700 degrees fahrenheit. The stone is popular in the jewelry industry because of its emeral-like color, good refractive index and durability. It is seen as an inexpensive alternative to other naturally occuring green gemstones like emerald. It also coes in a beautiful Swiss blue. Helenite is made from naturally occuring material and fused in the USA. Helenite is rated at 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale,