Collector Rarities: Apatite, Benitoite, Fluorite, Sphalerite & Rhodochrosite

This category covers the rarer fringes of gemology. Many of these species possess physical characteristics - extreme softness or perfect cleavage - that make them collector pieces, better suited to display or careful occasional wear than to daily use.

Sphalerite (zinc sulphide) has a high refractive index and dispersion approximately three times that of diamond, but a Mohs hardness of only about 3.5. Benitoite is an exceptionally rare barium titanium silicate found almost exclusively in San Benito County, California, with a sapphire-like blue and strong dispersion. Apatite can display neon blue-green colours comparable to Para?ba tourmaline. Fluorite and rhodochrosite offer vivid purples and banded pinks respectively, but require careful lapidary handling.

Shop the Collector Rarities collection Back to full encyclopedia