The facts
What norbergite actually is
Mineralogically, norbergite is humite group — Mg₃(SiO₄)(F,OH)₂, crystallising in the orthorhombic system.
The colour is caused by fe²⁺ and Ti give the tan to orange-brown; strong yellow fluorescence under short-wave UV. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.563–1.593, and the specific gravity sits near 3.15–3.19; cleavage is poor basal.
Where norbergite comes from
The recognised sources are Franklin Marble, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA, Norberg, Västmanland, Sweden and Mogok, Myanmar.
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 norbergite is treated
Untreated. Facetable grains are small and rare; most material is collected for its fluorescence.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What norbergite is confused with
The usual confusions are Chondrodite, Humite, Clinohumite and Spessartine.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.563–1.593 and specific gravity 3.15–3.19 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What norbergite is used for
Norbergite 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
Hardness 6–6.5; cleavage poor basal. That combination decides what it can safely be set into.
With no cleavage plane to worry about, the practical limit is abrasion rather than breakage, and it takes daily wear well.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What norbergite costs
Indicative pricing for norbergite is Faceted stones 60–400 USD/ct; fluorescent specimens 20–150 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 norbergite treated, and how?
Untreated. Facetable grains are small and rare; most material is collected for its fluorescence.
Where does norbergite come from?
Franklin Marble, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA, Norberg, Västmanland, Sweden and Mogok, Myanmar. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is norbergite hard enough to wear every day?
Yes. At 6–6.5 on the Mohs scale with no cleavage plane, it handles daily wear well. The practical limit is gradual abrasion rather than chipping.
How much does norbergite cost?
Indicatively Faceted stones 60–400 USD/ct; fluorescent specimens 20–150 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 norbergite confused with?
Most often Chondrodite, Humite, Clinohumite and Spessartine. A refractive index of 1.563–1.593 and a specific gravity near 3.15–3.19 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for norbergite?
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 norbergite