Gem Library

BUYER’S OVERVIEW:
Clinohumite is considered to be a semi-precious gemstone. Very limited in nature and mined in only two spots on earth (the Pamir Mountains of Russia and Tanzania), Clinohumite is among the 10 rarest gemstones on earth, with only a few thousand carats known to exist in private collections. While extremely rare, some 1-2 carat stones are available.

COLOR:
Clinohumite comes in a range of colors from brown and reddish brown to orange and yellow.

APPEARANCE:
Transparent to Semi-transparent, with a surface finish that ranges from Vitreous (glassy) to resinous, Clinohumite is usually included.

SIZE RANGE:
Melle (0.01 carat) to 1 carat; stones above 1 carat are rare.

TYPICAL CUTTING STYLES:
Transparent: most cutting styles are available, but typically cut into Oval, Trillion or Round
Translucent: cabochons

POSSIBLE ENHANCEMENTS & TREATMENTS:
Clinohumite has no known enhancements.

HARDNESS:
6 to 6½ on the Mohs scale.

BEST USE OF THE GEMSTONE:
Clinohumite can be used in all types of jewelry.

CARE & CLEANING:
It is best to never expose colored gemstones to cleaning solvents or chemicals of any kind.
Common cleaning methods include:
Ultrasonic: never
Steamer: never
Warm soapy water: safe
Reaction to Chemicals: can be damaged by acids and alkalis.
Reaction to Heat: heat may damage, so avoid strong heat or sudden temperature changes.
Stability to Light: unknown at this time, best to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight or UV light.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THIS GEMSTONE:
Clinohumite is a gem that fluoresces (glows) a yellowish-orange color under short wave UV light. It is related to the Humite species of minerals and it often grows in the same crystal structure.   Clinohumite is typically found as very small, indistinct gemstone grains so large Clinohumite crystals are eagerly sought by collectors due to their rarity. Gem quality material large enough to facet is very rare and in fact, has only been found twice. Once in the Pamir Mountains, in 1983 and once in Tanzania in 2005. Clinohumite is normally heavily included, however it is still rare and valuable even with inclusions. Clinohumite was first discovered in metamorphosed limestone that had been ejected by Mt. Vesuvius, near Naples Italy. The Clinohumite first found in 1876 was non-gem material but later finds in the 1880’s in Pamir were gem quality and the color was a bright yellow to orange or brownish orange. The gem-quality material found in Tanzania is reported to be dark reddish brown and resembles Hessonite garnet. Both of these deposits are scarce and only sporadically mined. Clinohumite will probably remain one of the world’s rarest gemstones with only a few thousand carats known to exist in private collections.

DESIGNATION:
Clinohumite has no traditions currently associated with it.

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