The facts
What xenotime actually is
Mineralogically, xenotime is rare-earth phosphate — YPO₄, crystallising in the tetragonal system.
The colour is caused by yellow-brown to reddish brown from rare-earth substitution, chiefly Er, Dy and Yb. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.720–1.827, and the specific gravity sits near 4.30–5.10; cleavage is perfect prismatic.
Where xenotime comes from
The recognised sources are Novo Horizonte, Bahia, Brazil, Zagi Mountain, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan and Saint-Jean-de-Côle, Dordogne, France.
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 xenotime is treated
Untreated. Usually contains thorium and uranium, so it is mildly radioactive and should be stored, not worn. Strong birefringence gives obvious facet doubling.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What xenotime is confused with
The usual confusions are Zircon, Monazite, Sphene and Brown tourmaline.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.720–1.827 and specific gravity 4.30–5.10 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What xenotime is used for
Xenotime is bought by mineral collecting and heavy industry — 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 tonne.
Durability and care
Hardness 4–5; cleavage perfect prismatic. That combination decides what it can safely be set into.
Below about 5.5 a stone will be scratched by ordinary household dust, which is largely quartz. That does not make it unusable — it makes it a pendant, an earring or an object rather than a ring worn every day.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What xenotime costs
Indicative pricing for xenotime is Faceted stones 50–300 USD/ct; specimens 20–200 USD.
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 xenotime treated, and how?
Untreated. Usually contains thorium and uranium, so it is mildly radioactive and should be stored, not worn. Strong birefringence gives obvious facet doubling.
Where does xenotime come from?
Novo Horizonte, Bahia, Brazil, Zagi Mountain, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan and Saint-Jean-de-Côle, Dordogne, France. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is xenotime hard enough to wear every day?
Not really. At 4–5 on the Mohs scale it is softer than the quartz dust in ordinary household dirt, so it scratches with wear. It suits pendants, earrings and objects better than a daily ring.
How much does xenotime cost?
Indicatively Faceted stones 50–300 USD/ct; specimens 20–200 USD. 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 xenotime confused with?
Most often Zircon, Monazite, Sphene and Brown tourmaline. A refractive index of 1.720–1.827 and a specific gravity near 4.30–5.10 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for xenotime?
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 xenotime