The facts
What mellite actually is
Mineralogically, mellite is organic mineral (aluminium mellitate) — Al₂[C₆(COO)₆]·16H₂O, crystallising in the tetragonal system.
The colour is caused by the honey-yellow comes from the mellitate organic anion itself, not from a metal chromophore. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.509–1.541, and the specific gravity sits near 1.58–1.64; cleavage is indistinct.
Where mellite comes from
The recognised sources are Bitterfeld, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, Artern, Thuringia, Germany and Csordakút, Hungary.
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 mellite is treated
Untreated. One of the very few minerals with an organic anion, formed in brown-coal and lignite deposits. Extremely soft and light, and it dehydrates and crumbles in dry air, so specimens need stable humidity. Faceted stones are museum curiosities.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What mellite is confused with
The usual confusions are Amber, Copal, Calcite and Citrine.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.509–1.541 and specific gravity 1.58–1.64 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What mellite is used for
Mellite 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
Mellite is 2–2.5 on the Mohs scale, with indistinct 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 mellite costs
Indicative pricing for mellite is Specimens 60–800 USD.
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 mellite treated, and how?
Untreated. One of the very few minerals with an organic anion, formed in brown-coal and lignite deposits. Extremely soft and light, and it dehydrates and crumbles in dry air, so specimens need stable humidity. Faceted stones are museum curiosities.
Where does mellite come from?
Bitterfeld, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, Artern, Thuringia, Germany and Csordakút, Hungary. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is mellite hard enough to wear every day?
Not really. At 2–2.5 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 mellite cost?
Indicatively Specimens 60–800 USD. 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 mellite confused with?
Most often Amber, Copal, Calcite and Citrine. A refractive index of 1.509–1.541 and a specific gravity near 1.58–1.64 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for mellite?
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 mellite