Chromite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
Chromite is shiny and black, and makes a curious-looking cabochon with no special attraction. Occasionally, a cabochon has a reddish color. The stones have little value because the material is extremely abundant but are cut as curiosities only.
Chromite is shiny and black, and makes a curious-looking cabochon with no special attraction. Occasionally, a cabochon has a reddish color. The stones have little value because the material is extremely abundant but are cut as curiosities only.
Start an IGS Membership today
for full access to our price guide (updated monthly).Chromite Value
Chromite group, extensive solid-solution series.
Note: Magnesiochromite = MgCr2 O4; Hercynite = FeAl2O4.
Optics: R.I. = 2.08-2.16. Isotropic.
Occurrence: in igneous rocks rich in olivine; in serpentines; in stream and beach sands. Sometimes in massive deposits of large size.
California; Oregon; Washington; Wyoming; Maryland; North Carolina; Pennsylvania.
Canada; Cuba; Norway; USSR; France; Zimbabwe; India.
Stone Sizes: Any size could be cut from massive material. The possibility exists for some deep reddish crystals to contain very tiny facetable areas, but thus far none have been discovered.
Comments: Chromite is shiny and black, and makes a curious-looking cabochon with no special attraction. Occasionally, a cabochon has a reddish color. The stones have little value because the material is extremely abundant but are cut as curiosities only.
Sometimes weakly magnetic.
Name: In allusion to the composition.
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
Related Articles
Black Diamond Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
Chameleon Diamond Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
Gray Diamond Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
Green Diamond Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
Latest Articles
Opal Buying Guide
Amethyst Sources Around the World: The Geological Story Behind These Purple Gemstones
Brazilianite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
Ruby-Glass Composites vs Leaded Glass Clarity Enhancements
Never Stop Learning
When you join the IGS community, you get trusted diamond & gemstone information when you need it.
Get Gemology Insights
Get started with the International Gem Society’s free guide to gemstone identification. Join our weekly newsletter & get a free copy of the Gem ID Checklist!