The facts
What sonolite actually is
The species behind sonolite is humite group, Mn₉(SiO₄)₄(OH)₂; it forms in the monoclinic system.
Mn²⁺ gives the reddish brown to orange-brown is responsible for the colour — and the chromophore, not the name, is what decides whether a colour is stable.
On the instruments it reads a refractive index of 1.763–1.793 and a specific gravity of about 3.82–4.00, with poor basal cleavage.
Where sonolite comes from
Commercial material comes from Sono Mine, Nagano, Japan, Kombat Mine, Otjozondjupa, Namibia and Franklin, New Jersey, USA.
Different localities give different colour and different clarity, and the trade prices them differently. We state which one.
How sonolite is treated
Untreated. Transparent crystals large enough to facet are exceptional; almost all material is specimen-grade.
We state the treatment on every stone, including when the honest answer is that it cannot be determined. A treatment disclosed is a fact; a treatment discovered later is a refund.
What sonolite is confused with
Watch for Alleghanyite, Clinohumite, Spessartine and Rhodonite — these are what turn up sold under this name.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.763–1.793 and specific gravity 3.82–4.00 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What sonolite is used for
The trades that buy sonolite are mineral collecting. They do not want the same thing, and they do not pay in the same unit.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the specimen.
Durability and care
Hardness 5.5; 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 sonolite costs
Expect roughly Faceted stones 200–800 USD/ct, depending on quality.
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 sonolite treated, and how?
Untreated. Transparent crystals large enough to facet are exceptional; almost all material is specimen-grade.
Where does sonolite come from?
Sono Mine, Nagano, Japan, Kombat Mine, Otjozondjupa, Namibia and Franklin, New Jersey, USA. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is sonolite hard enough to wear every day?
Yes. At 5.5 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 sonolite cost?
Indicatively Faceted stones 200–800 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 sonolite confused with?
Most often Alleghanyite, Clinohumite, Spessartine and Rhodonite. A refractive index of 1.763–1.793 and a specific gravity near 3.82–4.00 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for sonolite?
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 sonolite