The facts
What bumblebee Stone actually is
Mineralogically, bumblebee Stone is banded volcanic sediment of calcite, gypsum, sulphur, realgar and orpiment from a fumarolic setting - not a jasper and containing no chalcedony — Calcite CaCO3, gypsum CaSO4.2H2O, native sulphur, realgar AsS and orpiment As2S3, crystallising in the aggregate system.
The colour is caused by native sulphur and orpiment give the yellow, realgar the orange-red, and organic and manganese matter the black bands. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.49-1.66 approx., mixed, and the specific gravity sits near 2.4-2.9; cleavage is variable; the rock is soft and friable.
Where bumblebee Stone comes from
The recognised sources are Papandayan volcano, Garut, West Java, Indonesia - essentially the only commercial source and Mount Bromo area, East Java, Indonesia (minor).
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 bumblebee Stone is treated
Resin-stabilised as a rule, because it is soft and crumbly. HEALTH WARNING THAT MATTERS COMMERCIALLY: it contains arsenic sulphides. Cutting must be wet with extraction, and lapidaries should not dry-grind, inhale dust or ingest slurry. Finished, sealed cabochons are considered low-risk in normal wear, but the material should never be used in anything that contacts food or drink, and should be sold with disclosure. Some retailers now decline to stock it. The 'jasper' in the trade name is simply false. Not CITES.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What bumblebee Stone is confused with
The usual confusions are Mookaite, Yellow calcite and aragonite and Dyed and resin-bonded composites sold under the same name.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.49-1.66 approx., mixed and specific gravity 2.4-2.9 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What bumblebee Stone is used for
Bumblebee Stone is bought by mineral collecting, jewellery 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, by the carat or by the piece.
Durability and care
Hardness 3-5 (soft and variable); cleavage variable; the rock is soft and friable. That combination decides what it can safely be set into.
Below about 5.5 a stone will be scratched by ordinary household dust, which is largely quartz. That does not make it unusable — it makes it a pendant, an earring or an object rather than a ring worn every day.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What bumblebee Stone costs
Indicative pricing for bumblebee Stone is $20-120 per kilogram rough; cabochons $20-150.
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 bumblebee Stone treated, and how?
Resin-stabilised as a rule, because it is soft and crumbly. HEALTH WARNING THAT MATTERS COMMERCIALLY: it contains arsenic sulphides. Cutting must be wet with extraction, and lapidaries should not dry-grind, inhale dust or ingest slurry. Finished, sealed cabochons are considered low-risk in normal wear, but the material should never be used in anything that contacts food or drink, and should be sold with disclosure. Some retailers now decline to stock it. The 'jasper' in the trade name is simply false. Not CITES.
Where does bumblebee Stone come from?
Papandayan volcano, Garut, West Java, Indonesia - essentially the only commercial source and Mount Bromo area, East Java, Indonesia (minor). Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is bumblebee Stone hard enough to wear every day?
Not really. At 3-5 (soft and variable) on the Mohs scale it is softer than the quartz dust in ordinary household dirt, so it scratches with wear. It suits pendants, earrings and objects better than a daily ring.
How much does bumblebee Stone cost?
Indicatively $20-120 per kilogram rough; cabochons $20-150. 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 bumblebee Stone confused with?
Most often Mookaite, Yellow calcite and aragonite and Dyed and resin-bonded composites sold under the same name. A refractive index of 1.49-1.66 approx., mixed and a specific gravity near 2.4-2.9 separate it quickly.
What is bumblebee Stone used for besides jewellery?
mineral collecting and decorative objects. Each of those trades buys it in a different form and a different unit.
Related stones
Looking for bumblebee stone?
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 bumblebee stone