The facts
What triphane actually is
Mineralogically, triphane is spodumene (pyroxene group) — LiAlSi₂O₆, crystallising in the monoclinic system.
The colour is caused by fe³⁺ giving yellow to greenish-yellow. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.660–1.676, and the specific gravity sits near 3.15–3.21; cleavage is perfect prismatic, plus easy parting.
Where triphane comes from
The recognised sources are Minas Gerais, Brazil, Nuristan, Afghanistan and Madagascar.
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 triphane is treated
Often the untreated starting material for irradiated kunzite. Colour can be light-sensitive. Same difficult cleavage as the other spodumene varieties.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What triphane is confused with
The usual confusions are Citrine, Chrysoberyl, Yellow beryl and Danburite.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.660–1.676 and specific gravity 3.15–3.21 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What triphane is used for
Triphane is bought by mineral collecting and jewellery — 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 or by the carat.
Durability and care
Hardness 6.5–7; cleavage perfect prismatic, plus easy parting. 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 triphane costs
Indicative pricing for triphane is $10–80/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 triphane treated, and how?
Often the untreated starting material for irradiated kunzite. Colour can be light-sensitive. Same difficult cleavage as the other spodumene varieties.
Where does triphane come from?
Minas Gerais, Brazil, Nuristan, Afghanistan and Madagascar. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is triphane hard enough to wear every day?
With care. It is 6.5–7 on the Mohs scale, which is hard enough, but perfect prismatic, plus easy parting cleavage means it can split if struck at the wrong angle. Use a protective setting and avoid ultrasonic cleaning.
How much does triphane cost?
Indicatively $10–80/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 triphane confused with?
Most often Citrine, Chrysoberyl, Yellow beryl and Danburite. A refractive index of 1.660–1.676 and a specific gravity near 3.15–3.21 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for triphane?
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 triphane