The facts
What uvarovite actually is
The species behind uvarovite is uvarovite (garnet group), Ca₃Cr₂(SiO₄)₃; it forms in the cubic system.
Chromium 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 1.860–1.870 and a specific gravity of about 3.71–3.81, with none cleavage.
Where uvarovite comes from
Commercial material comes from Saranovskii Mine, Perm Krai, Russia, Outokumpu, Finland and Ronda, Spain.
Different localities give different colour and different clarity, and the trade prices them differently. We state which one.
How uvarovite is treated
Untreated. Crystals are almost always under 2 mm, so it is sold as drusy plates rather than faceted stones — a faceted uvarovite of any size is exceptional and should be examined sceptically.
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 uvarovite is confused with
Watch for Tsavorite, Demantoid, Green drusy chalcedony and Dioptase — these are what turn up sold under this name.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.860–1.870 and specific gravity 3.71–3.81 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What uvarovite is used for
The trades that buy uvarovite are jewellery, mineral collecting and decorative objects. 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, by the specimen or by the piece.
Durability and care
Hardness 6.5–7; 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 uvarovite costs
Expect roughly Drusy plates by the piece; faceted material rare and priced by negotiation, 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 uvarovite treated, and how?
Untreated. Crystals are almost always under 2 mm, so it is sold as drusy plates rather than faceted stones — a faceted uvarovite of any size is exceptional and should be examined sceptically.
Where does uvarovite come from?
Saranovskii Mine, Perm Krai, Russia, Outokumpu, Finland and Ronda, Spain. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is uvarovite hard enough to wear every day?
Yes. At 6.5–7 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 uvarovite cost?
Indicatively Drusy plates by the piece; faceted material rare and priced by negotiation. 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 uvarovite confused with?
Most often Tsavorite, Demantoid, Green drusy chalcedony and Dioptase. A refractive index of 1.860–1.870 and a specific gravity near 3.71–3.81 separate it quickly.
What is uvarovite used for besides jewellery?
mineral collecting and decorative objects. Each of those trades buys it in a different form and a different unit.
Related stones
Looking for uvarovite?
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 uvarovite