The facts
What dolomite (Industrial) actually is
Mineralogically, dolomite (Industrial) is a calcium-magnesium carbonate rock, used as a flux, refractory, filler and as the feedstock for magnesium metal — CaMg(CO3)2, crystallising in the trigonal system.
The colour is caused by white to buff and pink; iron and manganese give the pink and brown tones. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.500-1.679, and the specific gravity sits near 2.84-2.86; cleavage is perfect rhombohedral; dolomite reacts with cold dilute acid only slowly, which separates it from calcite.
Where dolomite (Industrial) comes from
The recognised sources are Dolomites, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy - the type region, Ohio, Michigan and Illinois, USA, Guizhou and Hebei, China, Thornton and Hindlow, Derbyshire, England and Spain, Turkiye and 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 dolomite (Industrial) is treated
Crushed and graded; calcined or dead-burned for refractory dolime, and used in the Pidgeon process for primary magnesium metal production. Uses: steelmaking flux and basic refractory lining, glass batch (it supplies both MgO and CaO), agricultural lime for magnesium-deficient soils, mineral filler, and construction aggregate. It is a cheaper basic refractory than magnesia and is used where the service conditions permit. Dolime is highly reactive with atmospheric moisture and must be stored sealed or tar-bonded, which is its main handling constraint.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What dolomite (Industrial) is confused with
The usual confusions are Limestone and calcite (fizzes vigorously in cold acid; dolomite barely does), Magnesite, Dead-burned magnesia (the higher-performance basic refractory) and Marble.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.500-1.679 and specific gravity 2.84-2.86 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What dolomite (Industrial) is used for
Dolomite (Industrial) is bought by heavy industry, architecture and interiors and kitchen and table — 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 tonne, by the square metre or by the piece.
Durability and care
Hardness 3.5-4; cleavage perfect rhombohedral; dolomite reacts with cold dilute acid only slowly, which separates it from calcite. 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 dolomite (Industrial) costs
Indicative pricing for dolomite (Industrial) is $10-30 per tonne crushed; dead-burned dolime $200-450 per tonne.
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 dolomite (Industrial) treated, and how?
Crushed and graded; calcined or dead-burned for refractory dolime, and used in the Pidgeon process for primary magnesium metal production. Uses: steelmaking flux and basic refractory lining, glass batch (it supplies both MgO and CaO), agricultural lime for magnesium-deficient soils, mineral filler, and construction aggregate. It is a cheaper basic refractory than magnesia and is used where the service conditions permit. Dolime is highly reactive with atmospheric moisture and must be stored sealed or tar-bonded, which is its main handling constraint.
Where does dolomite (Industrial) come from?
Dolomites, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy - the type region, Ohio, Michigan and Illinois, USA, Guizhou and Hebei, China, Thornton and Hindlow, Derbyshire, England and Spain, Turkiye and Brazil. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is dolomite (Industrial) 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 dolomite (Industrial) cost?
Indicatively $10-30 per tonne crushed; dead-burned dolime $200-450 per tonne. 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 dolomite (Industrial) confused with?
Most often Limestone and calcite (fizzes vigorously in cold acid; dolomite barely does), Magnesite, Dead-burned magnesia (the higher-performance basic refractory) and Marble. A refractive index of 1.500-1.679 and a specific gravity near 2.84-2.86 separate it quickly.
What is dolomite (Industrial) used for besides jewellery?
heavy industry, architecture and interiors and kitchen and table. Each of those trades buys it in a different form and a different unit.
Related stones
Looking for dolomite (industrial)?
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 dolomite (industrial)