The facts
What aegirine actually is
Mineralogically, aegirine is aegirine (pyroxene group) — NaFe³⁺Si₂O₆, crystallising in the monoclinic system.
The colour is caused by fe³⁺ giving very dark green to black. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.750–1.836, and the specific gravity sits near 3.50–3.60; cleavage is good prismatic {110}.
Where aegirine comes from
The recognised sources are Mount Malosa, Zomba, Malawi, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada, Narsaq, Greenland and Kola Peninsula, Russia.
Origin affects price in this material, so we name the locality on every quote rather than the country. "African" or "Asian" tells a buyer nothing.
How aegirine is treated
Untreated. Almost always a specimen mineral — the Malosa crystals on smoky quartz and feldspar are classic. Facetable transparent material is very rare.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What aegirine is confused with
The usual confusions are Schorl, Epidote, Black spinel and Arfvedsonite.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.750–1.836 and specific gravity 3.50–3.60 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What aegirine is used for
Aegirine is bought by mineral collecting and decorative objects — and each of those trades wants a different form of the same material.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the specimen or by the piece.
Durability and care
Aegirine is 5.5–6 on the Mohs scale, with good prismatic {110} cleavage.
With no cleavage plane to worry about, the practical limit is abrasion rather than breakage, and it takes daily wear well.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What aegirine costs
Indicative pricing for aegirine is Specimen pricing; faceted material scarce and negotiated.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is aegirine treated, and how?
Untreated. Almost always a specimen mineral — the Malosa crystals on smoky quartz and feldspar are classic. Facetable transparent material is very rare.
Where does aegirine come from?
Mount Malosa, Zomba, Malawi, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada, Narsaq, Greenland and Kola Peninsula, Russia. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is aegirine hard enough to wear every day?
Yes. At 5.5–6 on the Mohs scale with no cleavage plane, it handles daily wear well. The practical limit is gradual abrasion rather than chipping.
How much does aegirine cost?
Indicatively Specimen pricing; faceted material scarce and negotiated. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is aegirine confused with?
Most often Schorl, Epidote, Black spinel and Arfvedsonite. A refractive index of 1.750–1.836 and a specific gravity near 3.50–3.60 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for aegirine?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about aegirine