Colemanite is an abundant mineral, and transparent material isn’t rare. However, gem cutters rarely facet these typically pale stones. Difficult to cut and wear, colemanites are better suited for collectors of unusual gemstones.
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Colemanite serves as an ore for boron and has many industrial uses.
Colemanite has weak dispersion, so it shows little fire, and normally occurs colorless. Since it also has perfect cleavage and a hardness of only 4.5, this fragile gem would make an unlikely choice for a jewelry stone. Ring use would require a protective setting. Other uses, such as in earrings, pendants, or brooches, would be more practical.
Colemanites have considerable heat sensitivity, so jewelers should take great care placing these gems in metal settings.
Colemanites are both pyroelectric and piezoelectric. They generate an electric current when heated or placed under pressure, respectively.
Faceted colemanites may show facet doubling due to their birefringence.
This large, eye-clean, custom shield-cut colemanite displays the facet doubling effect very nicely. 9.33 cts, 14 x 12.1 mm, Boron, California. © The Gem Trader. Used with permission.
Scientists have synthesized colemanites for a variety of research projects, including studies of their electrical properties. However, there's no known jewelry use for this lab-created material.
Colemanites don't usually receive any known gemstone treatments.
The southwestern United States, particularly Boron and Death Valley, California, produces beautiful colemanite crystals. Other notable sources include Argentina, Kazakhstan, and Turkey.
Large crystals and masses could yield gems of 50-100 carats. Crystals normally range up to about 1 inch in size.
Colemanites are slightly soluble in water. Don't soak these gems during cleaning. Make sure to pat them dry before storing. Clean them only with a soft brush, mild detergent, and warm water. For more care recommendations, consult our gemstone jewelry cleaning guide.
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Colemanite serves as an ore for boron and has many industrial uses.
Colemanite has weak dispersion, so it shows little fire, and normally occurs colorless. Since it also has perfect cleavage and a hardness of only 4.5, this fragile gem would make an unlikely choice for a jewelry stone. Ring use would require a protective setting. Other uses, such as in earrings, pendants, or brooches, would be more practical.
Colemanites have considerable heat sensitivity, so jewelers should take great care placing these gems in metal settings.
Colemanites are both pyroelectric and piezoelectric. They generate an electric current when heated or placed under pressure, respectively.
Faceted colemanites may show facet doubling due to their birefringence.
This large, eye-clean, custom shield-cut colemanite displays the facet doubling effect very nicely. 9.33 cts, 14 x 12.1 mm, Boron, California. © The Gem Trader. Used with permission.
Scientists have synthesized colemanites for a variety of research projects, including studies of their electrical properties. However, there's no known jewelry use for this lab-created material.
Colemanites don't usually receive any known gemstone treatments.
The southwestern United States, particularly Boron and Death Valley, California, produces beautiful colemanite crystals. Other notable sources include Argentina, Kazakhstan, and Turkey.
Large crystals and masses could yield gems of 50-100 carats. Crystals normally range up to about 1 inch in size.
Colemanites are slightly soluble in water. Don't soak these gems during cleaning. Make sure to pat them dry before storing. Clean them only with a soft brush, mild detergent, and warm water. For more care recommendations, consult our gemstone jewelry cleaning guide.
Colemanite is an abundant mineral, and transparent material isn’t rare. However, gem cutters rarely facet these typically pale stones. Difficult to cut and wear, colemanites are better suited for collectors of unusual gemstones.
