The facts
What umbalite actually is
The species behind umbalite is garnet group (pyrope-spessartine), (Mg,Mn)₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃; it forms in the isometric system.
A mix of Fe²⁺ and Mn²⁺ giving pale pink to lilac-pink, lighter than rhodolite 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 1.750–1.765 and a specific gravity of about 3.78–3.85, with none cleavage.
Where umbalite comes from
Commercial material comes from Umba Valley, Tanga Region, Tanzania.
One source only — which is unusual, and which means an origin claim naming anywhere else is either a mistake or a different material.
How umbalite is treated
Untreated. A locality trade name for pale Umba pyrope-spessartine rather than a species; use it descriptively and do not imply it is a distinct mineral.
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 umbalite is confused with
Watch for Rhodolite, Malaia garnet, Morganite and Pink spinel — these are what turn up sold under this name.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.750–1.765 and specific gravity 3.78–3.85 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What umbalite is used for
The trades that buy umbalite are jewellery and 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 carat or by the specimen.
Durability and care
Hardness 7–7.5; cleavage none. 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 umbalite costs
Expect roughly 20–150 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 umbalite treated, and how?
Untreated. A locality trade name for pale Umba pyrope-spessartine rather than a species; use it descriptively and do not imply it is a distinct mineral.
Where does umbalite come from?
Umba Valley, Tanga Region, Tanzania. That is the only commercial source.
Is umbalite hard enough to wear every day?
Yes. At 7–7.5 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 umbalite cost?
Indicatively 20–150 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 umbalite confused with?
Most often Rhodolite, Malaia garnet, Morganite and Pink spinel. A refractive index of 1.750–1.765 and a specific gravity near 3.78–3.85 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for umbalite?
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 umbalite