{"product_id":"lithium-niobate-linbo3","title":"Lithium Niobate (LiNbO₃) — Lab-Grown Brilliance from the Edge of Optics","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c!--StartFragment --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!--StartFragment --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e💎 Lithium Niobate Rough — High-Tech Crystal with a Lapidary Soul\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eMeet one of the most remarkable crystals ever grown for science — and a hidden gem for the adventurous faceter. Lithium Niobate (LiNbO₃) is a Czochralski-pulled single crystal best known as a workhorse of modern photonics, used in electro-optic modulators, frequency doublers, and surface acoustic wave devices. But beneath its industrial pedigree lies something extraordinary: a brilliant, strongly birefringent crystal with dispersion well above that of diamond and an unmistakable \"doubled-facet\" optical effect that makes every cut stone feel alive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eFor collectors and lapidaries chasing the unusual, Lithium Niobate is a chance to facet a material that lives at the intersection of cutting-edge optics and old-school crystal artistry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e✨ Key Features:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColor\u003c\/strong\u003e: Typically colorless to pale straw or faint yellow; undoped material is water-clear with a subtle warm cast\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFire\/Dispersion\u003c\/strong\u003e: Very high (~0.13) — roughly three times that of diamond\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardness\u003c\/strong\u003e: ~5–5.5 on the Mohs scale — best suited for pendants, earrings, or protected settings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRefractive Index\u003c\/strong\u003e: Strongly birefringent — nₒ ≈ 2.30, nₑ ≈ 2.21, producing a vivid doubling effect through the stone\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDensity\u003c\/strong\u003e: ~4.65 g\/cm³\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMelting Point\u003c\/strong\u003e: ~1257 °C (2295 °F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e: Lab-grown via the Czochralski pulling method\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCleavage\u003c\/strong\u003e: None, but brittle and sensitive to thermal shock — cut with patience and light pressure\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBonus Quirk\u003c\/strong\u003e: Pyroelectric and piezoelectric — temperature changes can briefly attract dust to the surface, a fingerprint of its electro-optic nature\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eWhether you're after a uniquely birefringent design subject, a high-dispersion alternative to the usual suspects, or simply a conversation-starter crystal with a story rooted in laser labs and fiber optics, Lithium Niobate delivers a one-of-a-kind cutting experience. Each piece is sold by weight and offers a window into a material few faceters have ever worked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e📸 \u003cstrong\u003eAdditional Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIf you would like to see additional pictures of the piece(s) you're interested in, please feel free to contact me. I'll be happy to provide more images for your review.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe color of the stone in the photo may vary slightly, as not all computer monitors are calibrated the same.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Tom's Box of Rocks","offers":[{"title":"LIN0001 - 18.3 grams - surface crazings","offer_id":45007898411077,"sku":"LIN0001","price":150.1,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"LIN0002 - 11.8 grams - surface crazings","offer_id":45007898443845,"sku":"LIN0002","price":99.75,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"LIN0003 - 6.8 grams","offer_id":45007898476613,"sku":"LIN0003","price":66.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"LIN0004 - 25.0 grams - surface crazings","offer_id":45007898509381,"sku":"LIN0004","price":200.45,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"LIN0005 - 18.4 grams","offer_id":45007898542149,"sku":"LIN0005","price":158.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"LIN0006 - 4.7 grams","offer_id":45007898574917,"sku":"LIN0006","price":49.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"LIN0007 - 3.8 grams","offer_id":45007898607685,"sku":"LIN0007","price":41.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"LIN0008 - 13.2 grams - surface crazings","offer_id":45007898640453,"sku":"LIN0008","price":110.2,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"LIN0009 - 18.9 grams - surface crazings","offer_id":45007898673221,"sku":"LIN0009","price":154.85,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"LIN0010 - 17.6 grams - surface crazings","offer_id":45007898705989,"sku":"LIN0010","price":144.4,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"LIN0011 - 12.6 grams","offer_id":45007898738757,"sku":"LIN0011","price":112.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"LIN0012 - 6.7 grams","offer_id":45007898771525,"sku":"LIN0012","price":65.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"LIN0013 - 4.9 grams","offer_id":45007898804293,"sku":"LIN0013","price":50.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"LIN0014 - 19.7 grams - surface crazings","offer_id":45007898837061,"sku":"LIN0014","price":159.6,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"LIN0015 - 4.1 grams","offer_id":45007898869829,"sku":"LIN0015","price":44.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"LIN0016 - 4.4 grams","offer_id":45007898902597,"sku":"LIN0016","price":46.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"LIN0017 - 3.8 grams","offer_id":45007898935365,"sku":"LIN0017","price":41.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"LIN0018 - 7.5 grams - surface crazings","offer_id":45007898968133,"sku":"LIN0018","price":67.45,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"LIN0019 - 9.5 grams","offer_id":45007899000901,"sku":"LIN0019","price":87.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"LIN0020 - 4.3 grams","offer_id":45007899033669,"sku":"LIN0020","price":45.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"LIN0021 - 4.5 grams - surface crazings","offer_id":45007899066437,"sku":"LIN0021","price":44.65,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"LIN0022 - 4.4 grams","offer_id":45007899099205,"sku":"LIN0022","price":46.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"LIN0023 - 5.5 grams","offer_id":45007899131973,"sku":"LIN0023","price":55.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"LIN0024 - 3.4 grams","offer_id":45007899164741,"sku":"LIN0024","price":38.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"LIN0025 - 1.0 grams","offer_id":45007899197509,"sku":"LIN0025","price":19.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"LIN0026 - 4.4 grams","offer_id":45007899230277,"sku":"LIN0026","price":47.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0598\/4105\/2741\/files\/lithium-niobate-linbo3-1.jpg?v=1778724775","url":"https:\/\/tomsboxofrocks.com\/products\/lithium-niobate-linbo3","provider":"Tom's Box of Rocks","version":"1.0","type":"link"}