The facts
What hureaulite actually is
Mineralogically, hureaulite is manganese phosphate — Mn²⁺₅(PO₃OH)₂(PO₄)₂·4H₂O, crystallising in the monoclinic system.
The colour is caused by mn²⁺ gives peach, rose and orange tones. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.647–1.663, and the specific gravity sits near 3.19; cleavage is good in one direction.
Where hureaulite comes from
The recognised sources are Hureaux, Haute-Vienne, France, Cigana Mine, Minas Gerais, Brazil and Hagendorf, Bavaria, Germany.
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 hureaulite is treated
Untreated. Far too soft for wear; cut occasionally as collector gems and otherwise kept as crystal specimens.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What hureaulite is confused with
The usual confusions are Rhodochrosite, Hessonite and Phosphosiderite.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.647–1.663 and specific gravity 3.19 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What hureaulite is used for
Hureaulite 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
Hureaulite is 3.5 on the Mohs scale, with good in one direction cleavage.
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 hureaulite costs
Indicative pricing for hureaulite is Specimens 20–300 USD; faceted stones 60–250 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 hureaulite treated, and how?
Untreated. Far too soft for wear; cut occasionally as collector gems and otherwise kept as crystal specimens.
Where does hureaulite come from?
Hureaux, Haute-Vienne, France, Cigana Mine, Minas Gerais, Brazil and Hagendorf, Bavaria, Germany. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is hureaulite hard enough to wear every day?
Not really. At 3.5 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 hureaulite cost?
Indicatively Specimens 20–300 USD; faceted stones 60–250 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 hureaulite confused with?
Most often Rhodochrosite, Hessonite and Phosphosiderite. A refractive index of 1.647–1.663 and a specific gravity near 3.19 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for hureaulite?
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 hureaulite