DUMORTIERITE.
The Chill Pill
Dumortierite gives chilled-out kitten, snoozing after a belly full of food vibes. This is the stone if you want to release all your cares and worries, kick back, and calm your very soul. It exudes safety and comfort, allowing you to feel nurtured and happy. If you need to communicate what's on your mind, then Dumortierite acts as that deep breath that calms your nervous system before you get it all off your chest.
The name Dumortierite comes from the French palaeontologist Eugène Dumortier, who first described the mineral in 1881. This is a tricky mineral for the uninitiated and has been confused with Sodalite and Lapis Lazuli.
Dumortierite is a fairly rare aluminium boro-silicate mineral. It is formed at high temperatures as fibrous aggregates or even more rarely in prismatic structures. Occasional it occurs in Quartz, where you can see the delicate Dumortierite fibrous strands - this is known as Dumortierite Quartz. Dumortierite comes in a variety of colours, including a range of blues, most particularly violet-blue, as well as browns, greens, and the rare pinkish-red. The blue Dumortierite we most commonly see on the market is caused by Titanium substituting its usual Iron content.
Gem quality Dumortierite is mainly from Bahia in Brazil, Mexico, Japan, and South Africa. You will, however, see high-quality polished Dumortierite Quartz with blue needle-like fibres sold on social media and online via the polishing and crystal centres in China. Dumortierite is also notably found in Norway, the Czech Republic and the US, but it is also mined across Europe, Canada, Africa, Russia, and Asia.
Gem-grade, polished Dumortierite Quartz, Japan. From the collection of Zoe Nina Jewelry.
Rough piece of Dumortierite Quartz, where the Dumortierite is in a Milky Quartz matrix. Purchased from Minerals 4 You, Cascais, Portugal.
Buyer’s Guide to Dumortierite
Private Buyers
I really love Dumortierite and think it's a super addition to any collection or spiritual stash. If you intend to use it for spiritual practices, then I would recommend purchasing a small tumbled stone that you can keep with you or meditate with. I don’t feel like it would do well tossed about in a bag, best kept in a bra or pocket, away from anything that could scratch it. If you are feeling rich then a piece of Dumortierite Quartz jewellery where you can see the violet blue, fibrous strands is about as epic as you will get.
For specimen collectors, you will probably want two pieces:
A piece of raw or polished Dumortierite, which doesn’t need to be too expensive. Aim for a violet, pale blue-coloured piece. These can be found on Etsy or sometimes in your local crystal shop.
A Dumortierite Quartz with blue fibrous strands, either as a natural point or as a polished piece. You can sometimes find lower-grade milky Dumortierite Quartz, where you can see the strands. Still, for the ‘pièce de résistance,’ you will need a clear/transparent Dumortierite Quartz - look for a starburst effect piece for maximum impact. These take a bit more searching for; you can find a lot of polished pieces on Etsy and Instagram coming from the polishing centres in China. The only natural points I have seen came from a wholesaler in Brazil, but some online stores do stock them, expect to pay between €/$15-30 for a tiny one.
Natural Dumortierite Quartz point, Brazil. From the collection of Zoe Nina Jewelry.
Retail Buyers
Choosing to stock Dumortierite depends on your clientele. If you have a spiritual store, this crystal may be a bit too niche; however, if you have clients that collect more advanced crystals, then it may be worth stocking. I recommend starting with Dumortierite tumbles and see how those do.
If you sell via Instagram Live Shows, then you can try stocking the Dumortierite Quartz points. These will be tiny, and I really mean tiny - and expensive - but they will sell if they have visible strands. I have bought rough natural points from MINEC before; the quality will be mixed, and expect to retail them for €/$15-20 per piece.
If you can sell at €/$250+ then aim for the larger polished Dumortierite Quartz with Clear Quartz and violet-blue Dumortierite strands. Most of this can be found on Instagram wholesaler accounts from China.
Quick Guide | Dumortierite
Zodiac: Dumortierite is most commonly associated with the zodiac signs Leo and Virgo.
Ruling Planet: The ruling planet for Dumortierite is Mercury.
Chakra: Dumortierite is associated with the Throat (Vishuddha) Chakra.
Element: Dumortierite is connected to the elements Air and Water.
Crystal Charging: Dumortierite can be charged overnight under a full moon. Dumortierite has light energy, so use more subtle smokes such as Palo Santo and Sweetgrass for a cleaning or blessing ritual.
Crystal Elixir: Dumortierite is not safe for use in a crystal elixir as it contains aluminium. Polished Dumortierite tumbles should have a hardness of Mohs 7, which is considered safe enough for a quick dip in water; however, if in doubt, don’t.
Crystal Care: Dumortierite can be cleaned quickly in warm, soapy water, but do not soak the piece. Avoid harsh chemicals and hot water, which can cause thermal shock. You can also use a soft, dry cloth for polished pieces and a soft make-up brush for raw pieces.
The chemical formula for Dumortierite: Al₇BO₃(SiO₄)₃O₃