The facts
What tawmawite actually is
Mineralogically, tawmawite is epidote — Ca₂(Al,Cr³⁺)₃(SiO₄)₃(OH), crystallising in the monoclinic system.
The colour is caused by cr³⁺ substituting for aluminium, giving an emerald to grass green. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.729–1.768, and the specific gravity sits near 3.30–3.50; cleavage is perfect {001}.
Where tawmawite comes from
The recognised sources are Tawmaw, Kachin State, Myanmar (type locality) and Outokumpu, Finland.
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 tawmawite is treated
Untreated. Sometimes wrongly sold as 'chrome jade'. Its real significance is as a field indicator: in the Burmese jade tract, tawmawite in the country rock signals fine jadeite nearby. Rarely cut.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What tawmawite is confused with
The usual confusions are Chrome jadeite, Emerald, Chrome diopside, Uvarovite and Epidote.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.729–1.768 and specific gravity 3.30–3.50 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What tawmawite is used for
Tawmawite is bought by mineral collecting, carving and sculpture and decorative objects — 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, by the block or by the piece.
Durability and care
Hardness 6–7; cleavage perfect {001}. That combination decides what it can safely be set into.
Hardness is not the whole story. Perfect cleavage means the stone can split cleanly if struck along the wrong plane, whatever its Mohs number, so a protective setting matters more here than the hardness suggests.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What tawmawite costs
Indicative pricing for tawmawite is Specimen pricing; cut material scarce.
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 tawmawite treated, and how?
Untreated. Sometimes wrongly sold as 'chrome jade'. Its real significance is as a field indicator: in the Burmese jade tract, tawmawite in the country rock signals fine jadeite nearby. Rarely cut.
Where does tawmawite come from?
Tawmaw, Kachin State, Myanmar (type locality) and Outokumpu, Finland. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is tawmawite hard enough to wear every day?
With care. It is 6–7 on the Mohs scale, which is hard enough, but perfect {001} cleavage means it can split if struck at the wrong angle. Use a protective setting and avoid ultrasonic cleaning.
How much does tawmawite cost?
Indicatively Specimen pricing; cut material scarce. 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 tawmawite confused with?
Most often Chrome jadeite, Emerald, Chrome diopside, Uvarovite and Epidote. A refractive index of 1.729–1.768 and a specific gravity near 3.30–3.50 separate it quickly.
What is tawmawite used for besides jewellery?
mineral collecting, carving and sculpture and decorative objects. Each of those trades buys it in a different form and a different unit.
Related stones
Looking for tawmawite?
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 tawmawite