Anhydrite (Angelite) Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

Discovered around 1900, this beautiful violet anhydrite crystal rests on a feldspar matrix with another paler anhydrite emerging from it. 2.6 x 2.0 x 1.9 cm. Simplon Railway Tunnel, Valais, Switzerland. © Rob Lavinsky, www.iRocks.com. Used with permission.

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Anhydrite doesn’t occur in abundance. When exposed to water over time, it alters into the much more commonly found gypsum. Not surprisingly, facetable material is rarer still. Furthermore, with excellent cleavage planes in three directions, anhydrites prove challenging to cut and fragile for wear. With a hardness range of 3-3.5, they’re very susceptible to scratching, which further limits their use as jewelry stones.

Nevertheless, historically, artisans and jewelry makers have carved objects and cut cabochons from this material.

Anhydrites usually have pale, soft colors. Blues, violets, and pinks are especially prized.

Anhydrite, 4.9 x 3.1 x 2.1 cm, Niccioleta Mine, Massa Marittima, Grosseto Province, Tuscany, Italy. © Rob Lavinsky, www.iRocks.com. Used with permission.

Angelite

This translucent, blue-gray anhydrite variety known by the trade name “angelite” or “angeline” has become a popular gem material. Discovered in Peru, it was introduced to worldwide gem markets in the late 1980s. This material has been used for beads, spheres, and carvings. Of course, these trade names carry deliberate angelic connotations. The gem’s color may evoke sky blue or, perhaps, a “heavenly” blue.

“Bct139_yannaelle,” angelite and bronze-colored metal bracelet, by Imaginarium-Annelise. Licensed under CC By 2.0.

Vulpinite

This white-gray, marble-like textured material comes from Volpino, Italy. It’s used locally for cabs and as a decorative stone.

Bowel Stone

Anhydrite that occurs in folded, concretionary forms is known as bowel stone. This variety name also carries deliberate connotations.

“Slithering biogeochemical sediments slip slidin’ away,” a “seriously folded slice” of anhydrite from Crownest Pass, Rocky Mountains, Alberta, Canada. Photo by Mike Beauregard. Licensed under CC By 2.0.

Blue “Egyptian” Anhydrite

The Ancient Egyptians used white anhydrite as well as a distinctive blue-tinted variety to create beautiful objects. However, the ancient source of the blue material, which takes a good polish, has never been found.

Kohl Pot, ca. 1938-1700 BCE. Anhydrite, 1¾” diameter x 1⅝” height. (4.5 x 4.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 07.447.206. Licensed under CC By 3.0.

Identifying Characteristics

Cleavage

Because of the intersection of anhydrite’s cleavage planes at right angles, these gems may break apart and reveal cube-like (pseudo-cubic) forms. This appearance has led to another name for this gemstone: “cube spar.” Despite appearances, anhydrites have an orthorhombic crystal habit, not a cubic or isometric habit.

Note the cube-like formations in this fractured piece of anhydrite. Gypsum Quarry Arnave, Tarascon-sur-Ariège, Ariège, Midi-Pyrénées. Size 31 x 16 x15 cm. Photo by Didier Descouens. Licensed under CC By-SA 3.0.

Distinguishing Anhydrite from Marble

While marble will effervesce when exposed to hydrochloric acid, anhydrite will not. An acid test may help distinguish carved or crystal anhydrites from marble items that may appear similar. However, keep in mind that acid testing is a destructive technique. Conduct this examination only as a last resort on an inconspicuous part of the object.

Synthetics

Anhydrite has many practical applications. Like its more abundant “alter ego,” gypsum, it’s used in a variety of construction materials as well as fertilizers. However, it exceeds gypsum in both calcium content and solubility, so it makes a better soil treatment. Thus, there is an industrial demand to synthesize this material. However, there is no known jewelry use for it.

Once considered a “nuisance product” from the manufacture of hydrochloric acid, synthetic anhydrite created from this process is now dried in kilns and used for many applications. The English sculptor Ophelia Gordon Bell carved this plaque depicting an anhydrite kiln from a piece of anhydrite. The carving now resides at the Catalyst Science Discovery Centre in Widnes, UK. Picture by and © Andy Mabbett. Licensed under CC By-SA 4.0.

Enhancements

Blue and violet colors in anhydrites disappear when heat treated. However, gamma ray bombardment will restore them. Therefore, these colors possibly occur naturally due to natural radiation in the earth. Please note, natural specimens aren’t radioactive or harmful.

Sources

Notable sources of gem-quality material include the following:

• Simplon Tunnel, Switzerland: pale purple cleavages, facetable.
• Canada: Nova Scotia; Faraday Mine, Bancroft, Ontario (large purplish masses, some facetable).
• Peru: in addition to angelite, other colors.
• Italy: in addition to vulpinite, other varieties.
• Iran: facetable.
• Mexico: large blue masses, very lovely color, as well as other colors.
• United States: New Jersey; New Mexico; South Dakota; Texas.
• Austria; France; Germany; India; Poland; Sri Lanka.

A large, pastel blue anhydrite specimen. 11.8 x 9.0 x 5.8 cm. Naica, Chihuahua, Mexico. © Rob Lavinsky, www.iRocks.com. Used with permission.

Stone Sizes

Unusual faceted anhydrites usually range on the small size (1-5 carats). However, faceters have cut gems up to 9 carats, so the potential exists for larger sizes. Cleavage masses could provide larger rough.

Swiss and Canadian localities produce most of the faceted material, usually in purplish or pale pink colors.

• Private Collection: 2.86 (pink-blue bicolor, Bancroft).

Care

Due to their cleavage and relatively low hardness, anhydrites must be cut and handled with great care. For jewelry, avoid ring use and use protective settings if possible. Consider creating earrings, pendants, and bracelets, instead. Of course, carvings and decorative objects will hopefully face fewer risks.

Keep any anhydrites dry, especially if placed in storage. They will readily absorb moisture and, over time, turn wholly or partly into gypsum.

Don’t wipe dust off anhydrites. Since household dust consists mostly of silicon quartz, which is far harder (7) than anhydrites, you’ll scratch them. Pat them with a lint-free cloth, instead.

For more recommendations, consult our gemstone jewelry care guide.

Anhydrite: Germany (6.1). © Joel E. Arem, PhD, FGA. Used with permission.