The facts
What poudretteite actually is
Mineralogically, poudretteite is poudretteite (osumilite group) — KNa₂B₃Si₁₂O₃₀, crystallising in the hexagonal system.
The colour is caused by manganese, with a broad absorption band near 530 nm from trace Mn at around 150 ppm. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.511–1.532, and the specific gravity sits near 2.51–2.53; cleavage is none; splintery to conchoidal fracture.
Where poudretteite comes from
The recognised sources are Poudrette Quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada (type locality) and Mogok Township, Myanmar (the only source of facetable material).
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 poudretteite is treated
Untreated. One of the rarest gems known — only a few dozen faceted stones exist, essentially all from Mogok. Strongly pleochroic, intense purple-pink along the c-axis and near-colourless across it. At Mohs 5 it is a collector stone, not a wearing stone. Never buy without a major laboratory report.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What poudretteite is confused with
The usual confusions are Pezzottaite, Morganite, Kunzite, Pink tourmaline and Pink sapphire.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.511–1.532 and specific gravity 2.51–2.53 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What poudretteite is used for
Poudretteite 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
Poudretteite is 5 on the Mohs scale, with none; splintery to conchoidal fracture 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 poudretteite costs
Indicative pricing for poudretteite is $2,000–20,000/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 poudretteite treated, and how?
Untreated. One of the rarest gems known — only a few dozen faceted stones exist, essentially all from Mogok. Strongly pleochroic, intense purple-pink along the c-axis and near-colourless across it. At Mohs 5 it is a collector stone, not a wearing stone. Never buy without a major laboratory report.
Where does poudretteite come from?
Poudrette Quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada (type locality) and Mogok Township, Myanmar (the only source of facetable material). Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is poudretteite hard enough to wear every day?
Not really. At 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 poudretteite cost?
Indicatively $2,000–20,000/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 poudretteite confused with?
Most often Pezzottaite, Morganite, Kunzite, Pink tourmaline and Pink sapphire. A refractive index of 1.511–1.532 and a specific gravity near 2.51–2.53 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for poudretteite?
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 poudretteite