freeform faceted bustamite - Australiafreeform faceted bustamite - Australia

Bustamite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information


Pale pink and brownish red bustamite can make a very attractive faceted gem. However, stones in large sizes are rare and difficult to cut.

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Pale pink and brownish red bustamites can make very attractive faceted gems. However, stones in large sizes are rare and difficult to cut.

freeform faceted bustamite - Australia
Freeform-cut bustamite. Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia. 0.51 carats, 4.03 mm x 3.89 mm. © Rob Lavinsky, mineralauctions.com. Used with permission.

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Bustamite Value

bustamites - New Jersey
Pink bustamites with calcite and blue apatites. Franklin Mine, Franklin, Sussex County, New Jersey, 6.6 x 4.3 x 3.7 cm. © Rob Lavinsky, mineralauctions.com. Used with permission.

Does Bustamite Make a Good Jewelry Stone?

Bustamites are better suited for gem collections than jewelry collections. With a hardness of 5.5 to 6.5 and perfect and good cleavage planes in two directions, bustamite is susceptible to scratches and breaks. The cleavage planes also make it difficult to cut, so you will seldom find faceted bustamite gems for sale. Rarely, fibrous bustamite rough may yield fine cat's eye cabochons.

Pink bustamites will also lose their color when exposed to sunlight. If you do have bustamite jewelry, make sure to use protective settings and reserve them for occasional wear.

bustamite ring
24K yellow gold ring with marquise-shaped, pink bustamite in a protective bezel setting, designed by Gurham. Photo courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and GWS Auctions Inc.

How Can You Distinguish Bustamite from Rhodonite?

Bustamites and rhodonites share many gemological properties, may look alike, and can occur in the same locations. (In fact, the material first identified as bustamite in 1826 turned out to be a mixture of rhodonite and johannsenite instead of a unique mineral).

Both of these gemstones prove challenging to facet, so gemologists won't encounter either very often. (Of the two, however, rhodonites are cut more frequently). Nevertheless, the following tests are the easiest ways to separate these gems:

  • Take a refractive index (RI) reading. Bustamites have lower RIs (1.662-1.707) than rhodonites (1.711-1.752).
  • Check the optic figure and sign. Bustamites are biaxial (-), while rhodonites are biaxial (+).
  • Measure specific gravity (SG). Bustamites have a lower SG (3.32-3.43) than rhodonites (3.57-3.76).

Although not diagnostic, bustamites tend to have paler colors than rhodonites.

Are There Synthetic Bustamites?

There are no known lab-created bustamites or treatments for natural stones.

Where is Bustamite Found?

Franklin and Sterling Hill, New Jersey, USA produce fine bustamite crystals.

Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia produces gem-quality material with a high manganese (Mn) content. It forms in crystals up to 2 x 10 cm in size and has the following properties: SG = 3.41; 2V = 39°; a = 1.688, β = 1.699, γ = 1.703; birefringence = 0.015.

Other notable gem-quality sources include the following:

  • Iwate and Yamagata prefectures, Japan: gemmy crystals, very rich in Mn.
  • South Africa; Långban, Sweden; Cornwall, England, UK.
  • KI35A
  • KI35E

    Bustamite crystal under white and ultraviolet light, Wessel's Mine, Hotazel, Kalahari manganese fields, Northern Cape Province, South Africa. 6.5 x 5.7 x 3.4 cm. © Rob Lavinsky, mineralauctions.com. Used with permission.

    Stone Sizes

    Faceted bustamites weigh less than 5 carats and usually range from 1 to 2 carats. Any faceted gems over 2 carats would make considered rare collector's items. Cat's eye cabochons can weigh up to 5 carats.

    How to Care for Bustamites

    Clean your bustamites only with a soft brush, mild detergent, and warm water. Store them separately from other stones to avoid contact scratches and keep them out of direct sunlight. Consult our gemstone jewelry cleaning guide for more recommendations.

    bustamite - Australia
    Emerald-cut bustamite. Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia (2.6). Photo © Joel E. Arem, PhD, FGA. Used with permission.

    Joel E. Arem, Ph.D., FGA

    Dr. Joel E. Arem has more than 60 years of experience in the world of gems and minerals. After obtaining his Ph.D. in Mineralogy from Harvard University, he has published numerous books that are still among the most widely used references and guidebooks on crystals, gems and minerals in the world.

    Co-founder and President of numerous organizations, Dr. Arem has enjoyed a lifelong career in mineralogy and gemology. He has been a Smithsonian scientist and Curator, a consultant to many well-known companies and institutions, and a prolific author and speaker. Although his main activities have been as a gem cutter and dealer, his focus has always been education. joelarem.com


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