The facts
What heliodor actually is
Mineralogically, heliodor is beryl — Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈, crystallising in the hexagonal system.
The colour is caused by iron (Fe³⁺). That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.577–1.583, and the specific gravity sits near 2.68–2.74; cleavage is imperfect, one direction.
Where heliodor comes from
The recognised sources are Volodarsk-Volynskii, Ukraine, Minas Gerais, Brazil, Namibia and Madagascar.
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 heliodor is treated
Some material is irradiated. Undetectable.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What heliodor is confused with
The usual confusions are Citrine, Yellow sapphire and Chrysoberyl.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.577–1.583 and specific gravity 2.68–2.74 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What heliodor is used for
Heliodor is bought by jewellery and 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 carat or by the specimen.
Durability and care
Heliodor is 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale, with imperfect, 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 heliodor costs
Indicative pricing for heliodor is $20–200/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 heliodor treated, and how?
Some material is irradiated. Undetectable.
Where does heliodor come from?
Volodarsk-Volynskii, Ukraine, Minas Gerais, Brazil, Namibia and Madagascar. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is heliodor hard enough to wear every day?
With care. It is 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale, which is hard enough, but imperfect, one direction cleavage means it can split if struck at the wrong angle. Use a protective setting and avoid ultrasonic cleaning.
How much does heliodor cost?
Indicatively $20–200/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 heliodor confused with?
Most often Citrine, Yellow sapphire and Chrysoberyl. A refractive index of 1.577–1.583 and a specific gravity near 2.68–2.74 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for heliodor?
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 heliodor