The facts
What baddeleyite actually is
Mineralogically, baddeleyite is zirconium oxide — ZrO₂, crystallising in the monoclinic system.
The colour is caused by fe and Nb impurities give brown to near-black; pure material is colourless. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 2.13–2.20, and the specific gravity sits near 5.50–6.00; cleavage is perfect in one direction.
Where baddeleyite comes from
The recognised sources are Mogok, Myanmar, Phalaborwa, Limpopo, South Africa and Poços de Caldas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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 baddeleyite is treated
Untreated. The natural equivalent of the material that, stabilised with yttria, becomes cubic zirconia — but baddeleyite itself is monoclinic, dark and rarely transparent.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What baddeleyite is confused with
The usual confusions are Cubic zirconia, Zircon, Cassiterite and Anatase.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 2.13–2.20 and specific gravity 5.50–6.00 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What baddeleyite is used for
Baddeleyite is bought by mineral collecting, heavy industry and technical and precision components — 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, by the tonne or by the piece.
Durability and care
Baddeleyite is 6.5 on the Mohs scale, with perfect in one direction 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 baddeleyite costs
Indicative pricing for baddeleyite is Faceted stones 100–500 USD/ct; specimens 20–200 USD.
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 baddeleyite treated, and how?
Untreated. The natural equivalent of the material that, stabilised with yttria, becomes cubic zirconia — but baddeleyite itself is monoclinic, dark and rarely transparent.
Where does baddeleyite come from?
Mogok, Myanmar, Phalaborwa, Limpopo, South Africa and Poços de Caldas, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is baddeleyite hard enough to wear every day?
With care. It is 6.5 on the Mohs scale, which is hard enough, but perfect in one direction cleavage means it can split if struck at the wrong angle. Use a protective setting and avoid ultrasonic cleaning.
How much does baddeleyite cost?
Indicatively Faceted stones 100–500 USD/ct; specimens 20–200 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 baddeleyite confused with?
Most often Cubic zirconia, Zircon, Cassiterite and Anatase. A refractive index of 2.13–2.20 and a specific gravity near 5.50–6.00 separate it quickly.
What is baddeleyite used for besides jewellery?
mineral collecting, heavy industry and technical and precision components. Each of those trades buys it in a different form and a different unit.
Related stones
Looking for baddeleyite?
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 baddeleyite