The facts
What creedite actually is
Mineralogically, creedite is calcium aluminium fluoride-sulphate — Ca₃Al₂(SO₄)(F,OH)₁₀·2H₂O, crystallising in the monoclinic system.
The colour is caused by colour centres give the violet to rose tint; much material is colourless or white. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.461–1.485, and the specific gravity sits near 2.70; cleavage is perfect in one direction.
Where creedite comes from
The recognised sources are Santa Eulalia, Chihuahua, Mexico, Creede, Mineral County, Colorado, USA and Akchatau, Karaganda, Kazakhstan.
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 creedite is treated
Untreated, but the spectacular purple Mexican sprays are fragile and are sometimes consolidated with clear adhesive at the base — ask before buying high-value specimens. Faceted creedite is soft and rare.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What creedite is confused with
The usual confusions are Amethyst, Fluorite and Thomsonite.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.461–1.485 and specific gravity 2.70 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What creedite is used for
Creedite is bought by mineral collecting — 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.
Durability and care
Hardness 3.5–4; cleavage perfect in one direction. 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 creedite costs
Indicative pricing for creedite is Specimens 40–1,500 USD; faceted stones 100–400 USD/ct.
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 creedite treated, and how?
Untreated, but the spectacular purple Mexican sprays are fragile and are sometimes consolidated with clear adhesive at the base — ask before buying high-value specimens. Faceted creedite is soft and rare.
Where does creedite come from?
Santa Eulalia, Chihuahua, Mexico, Creede, Mineral County, Colorado, USA and Akchatau, Karaganda, Kazakhstan. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is creedite hard enough to wear every day?
Not really. At 3.5–4 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 creedite cost?
Indicatively Specimens 40–1,500 USD; faceted stones 100–400 USD/ct. 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 creedite confused with?
Most often Amethyst, Fluorite and Thomsonite. A refractive index of 1.461–1.485 and a specific gravity near 2.70 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for creedite?
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 creedite