The facts
What zektzerite actually is
The species behind zektzerite is tuhualite group, LiNa(Zr,Ti,Hf)Si₆O₁₅; it forms in the orthorhombic system.
Colourless to pale pink or peach; trace Mn and Fe 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 1.582–1.585 and a specific gravity of about 2.79, with perfect in one direction cleavage.
Where zektzerite comes from
Commercial material comes from Washington Pass, Golden Horn Batholith, Okanogan County, Washington, USA.
One source only — which is unusual, and which means an origin claim naming anywhere else is either a mistake or a different material.
How zektzerite is treated
Untreated. Known essentially from one granite locality, in miarolitic cavities; faceted stones number in the low hundreds worldwide.
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 zektzerite is confused with
Watch for Quartz, Petalite, Pollucite and Danburite — these are what turn up sold under this name.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.582–1.585 and specific gravity 2.79 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What zektzerite is used for
The trades that buy zektzerite are 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 specimen.
Durability and care
Hardness 6; cleavage perfect in one direction. 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 zektzerite costs
Expect roughly Faceted stones 200–800 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 zektzerite treated, and how?
Untreated. Known essentially from one granite locality, in miarolitic cavities; faceted stones number in the low hundreds worldwide.
Where does zektzerite come from?
Washington Pass, Golden Horn Batholith, Okanogan County, Washington, USA. That is the only commercial source.
Is zektzerite hard enough to wear every day?
With care. It is 6 on the Mohs scale, which is hard enough, but perfect in one direction cleavage means it can split if struck at the wrong angle. Use a protective setting and avoid ultrasonic cleaning.
How much does zektzerite cost?
Indicatively Faceted stones 200–800 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 zektzerite confused with?
Most often Quartz, Petalite, Pollucite and Danburite. A refractive index of 1.582–1.585 and a specific gravity near 2.79 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for zektzerite?
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 zektzerite