The facts
What hibonite actually is
Hibonite is classified as hibonite, with the composition CaAl₁₂O₁₉. It crystallises in the hexagonal system.
Colour comes from ti and Fe substitution; almost always opaque brownish-black, rarely translucent deep red-brown, which is also what a laboratory looks at when it is asked whether a colour is natural.
Refractive index 1.790–1.810. Specific gravity around 3.84. Cleavage: imperfect basal. Those three numbers separate it from most of what imitates it.
Where hibonite comes from
Hibonite is produced at Esiva, Tuléar Province, Madagascar and Allende and Murchison meteorites (as refractory inclusions).
The locality is part of the description, not a footnote — two stones of the same weight from two of these places are not the same stone.
How hibonite is treated
Untreated. Faceted hibonite is a collector rarity with only a handful of clean stones known; the species is better known as one of the earliest condensates in the solar nebula.
Treatment changes value, sometimes by a multiple, so it belongs in the description before the price and not after the sale.
What hibonite is confused with
In the trade hibonite is most often mistaken for, or substituted by, Spinel, Dark corundum or Perovskite.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.790–1.810 and specific gravity 3.84 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What hibonite is used for
Demand for hibonite comes from mineral collecting, which is why one price per carat never covers it.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the specimen.
Durability and care
Hibonite is 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale, with imperfect basal 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 hibonite costs
As a guide, hibonite trades around Faceted stones, when available, $2,000–$20,000/ct; crystals $100–$1,000.
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 hibonite treated, and how?
Untreated. Faceted hibonite is a collector rarity with only a handful of clean stones known; the species is better known as one of the earliest condensates in the solar nebula.
Where does hibonite come from?
Esiva, Tuléar Province, Madagascar and Allende and Murchison meteorites (as refractory inclusions). Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is hibonite hard enough to wear every day?
With care. It is 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale, which is hard enough, but imperfect basal cleavage means it can split if struck at the wrong angle. Use a protective setting and avoid ultrasonic cleaning.
How much does hibonite cost?
Indicatively Faceted stones, when available, $2,000–$20,000/ct; crystals $100–$1,000. 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 hibonite confused with?
Most often Spinel, Dark corundum and Perovskite. A refractive index of 1.790–1.810 and a specific gravity near 3.84 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for hibonite?
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 hibonite