The facts
What chromite actually is
Mineralogically, chromite is spinel group — Fe²⁺Cr₂O₄, crystallising in the cubic system.
The colour is caused by cr³⁺ in an opaque oxide; brownish-black with submetallic lustre and brown streak. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer gives nothing, because the material is opaque, and the specific gravity sits near 4.5–4.8; cleavage is none.
Where chromite comes from
The recognised sources are Bushveld Complex, South Africa, Kempirsai, Kazakhstan and Tiébaghi, New Caledonia.
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 chromite is treated
Untreated; essentially an ore mineral and an inclusion in diamond and peridot. Rarely of gem interest in its own right.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What chromite is confused with
The usual confusions are Magnetite, Ilmenite and Franklinite.
Because the material is opaque, refractive index is no help. Specific gravity around 4.5–4.8, hardness of 5.5, streak and magnification do the work instead.
What chromite is used for
Chromite is bought by mineral collecting, heavy industry and metallurgy — 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 tonne.
Durability and care
Hardness 5.5; cleavage none. That combination decides what it can safely be set into.
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 chromite costs
Indicative pricing for chromite is Crystal specimens $10–$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 chromite treated, and how?
Untreated; essentially an ore mineral and an inclusion in diamond and peridot. Rarely of gem interest in its own right.
Where does chromite come from?
Bushveld Complex, South Africa, Kempirsai, Kazakhstan and Tiébaghi, New Caledonia. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is chromite hard enough to wear every day?
Yes. At 5.5 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 chromite cost?
Indicatively Crystal specimens $10–$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 chromite confused with?
Most often Magnetite, Ilmenite and Franklinite. Since the material is opaque, separation relies on specific gravity near 4.5–4.8, hardness and magnification.
What is chromite used for besides jewellery?
mineral collecting, heavy industry and metallurgy. Each of those trades buys it in a different form and a different unit.
Related stones
Looking for chromite?
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 chromite