The facts
What allanite actually is
The species behind allanite is epidote group, (Ce,Ca,Y)₂(Al,Fe³⁺)₃(SiO₄)₃(OH); it forms in the monoclinic system.
Rare earths plus Fe give pitch-black to dark brown; metamictisation from thorium darkens it further is responsible for the colour — and the chromophore, not the name, is what decides whether a colour is stable.
On the instruments it reads a refractive index of 1.640–1.828 and a specific gravity of about 3.40–4.20, with imperfect cleavage.
Where allanite comes from
Commercial material comes from Pacoima Canyon, Los Angeles County, California, USA, Miass, Ural Mountains, Russia and Ytterby, Sweden.
Different localities give different colour and different clarity, and the trade prices them differently. We state which one.
How allanite is treated
Untreated. Thorium-bearing, therefore mildly radioactive and usually metamict; a specimen and geochronology mineral, not a wearable gem.
We state the treatment on every stone, including when the honest answer is that it cannot be determined. A treatment disclosed is a fact; a treatment discovered later is a refund.
What allanite is confused with
Watch for Epidote, Aeschynite, Ilmenite and Schorl — these are what turn up sold under this name.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.640–1.828 and specific gravity 3.40–4.20 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What allanite is used for
The trades that buy allanite are mineral collecting and technical and precision components. They do not want the same thing, and they do not pay in the same unit.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the specimen or by the piece.
Durability and care
Allanite is 5.5–6 on the Mohs scale, with imperfect cleavage.
Hardness is not the whole story. Perfect cleavage means the stone can split cleanly if struck along the wrong plane, whatever its Mohs number, so a protective setting matters more here than the hardness suggests.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What allanite costs
Expect roughly Specimens 15–150 USD, depending on quality.
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 allanite treated, and how?
Untreated. Thorium-bearing, therefore mildly radioactive and usually metamict; a specimen and geochronology mineral, not a wearable gem.
Where does allanite come from?
Pacoima Canyon, Los Angeles County, California, USA, Miass, Ural Mountains, Russia and Ytterby, Sweden. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is allanite hard enough to wear every day?
With care. It is 5.5–6 on the Mohs scale, which is hard enough, but imperfect cleavage means it can split if struck at the wrong angle. Use a protective setting and avoid ultrasonic cleaning.
How much does allanite cost?
Indicatively Specimens 15–150 USD. 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 allanite confused with?
Most often Epidote, Aeschynite, Ilmenite and Schorl. A refractive index of 1.640–1.828 and a specific gravity near 3.40–4.20 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for allanite?
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 allanite