Probably fewer than a dozen creedite gems have ever been faceted. This rare mineral is rarer still as a cuttable crystal. Too soft to wear, this strictly collector’s gem occurs in attractive white, purple, and orange colors.
Creedite
Information
Data
Value
Name
Creedite
Formula
Ca3AI2(SO4)(F,OH)10 • 2H2O.
Etymology
After the type locality, Creede Quadrangle, Colorado.
Transparent colorless and purple material from Chihuahua, Mexico has yielded rare facetable creedites. In recent decades, new sources have produced more material in more colors, such as orange.
Synthetics
No known synthetics or enhancements.
Sources
The classic source for gemmy material, Santa Eulalia, Chihuahua, Mexico produces crystals up to 1 inch long.
Durango, Mexico has produced stunning, bright orange crystals.
Other notable sources include:
United States: Darwin, California; Creede, Colorado (in cavities in rock with fluorite and barite); Wagon Wheel Gap, Colorado (in a fluorite-barite mine); Granite, Nevada.
Colquiri, Bolivia; China (colorless); Kazakhstan (purple).
Any faceted gems are very small, usually less than 1-2 carats.
Private Collection: 0.96 (purple, Chihuahua).
Care
You’re more likely to find creedite gems in a mineral collection, if at all, than a jewelry collection. With perfect cleavage and a low hardness of 4, creedites wouldn’t make durable jewelry stones. A sensitivity to acid makes it inadvisable to wear or handle these gems for long periods. See our gemstone jewelry care guide for cleaning recommendations.