Witherite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

What is Witherite?

Witherite forms a series, as the barium (Ba) analogue, with strontianite, the strontium (Sr) analogue. Both belong to the aragonite mineral group.

Although an uncommon mineral, witherite has had numerous commercial uses.

Does Witherite Make a Good Jewelry Stone?

You'll more likely find witherites in mineral collections, if at all, than jewelry collections. With a Mohs hardness of only 3 to 3.5 and distinct cleavage, these gems would make poor jewelry stones. Although easy to cut, witherites prove difficult to polish.

If worn as jewelry, reserve them for occasional use and make sure they don't rest for long periods against your skin. Over time, they will react to sweat. Use protective gem settings only.

As cut jewelry stones, witherites have little to recommend them in terms of beauty or wearability. Nevertheless, faceting adds rarity and thus interest for those pursuing a gem collection of unusual specimens.

Is Witherite Hazardous?

Lapidaries who cut witherite should take precautions against inhaling dust from this material. Witherite (barium carbonate) is toxic if ingested.

Crystals and finished gems should pose no risk as display specimens. However, secure them from small children or pets who may be tempted to place the stones in their mouths.

Scratches on witherites may create tiny particles that could be ingested accidentally, so jewelry use presents some risk. However, protective settings should keep these stones safe for occasional wear.

Oddly enough, witherite was once used in sugar refining.

Identifying Characteristics

Witherites effervesce in acid. Please note that acid testing is a destructive test. Use this procedure only as a last resort for identification and never on a finished gem.

Witherites can fluoresce or phosphoresce blueish white. They can also show the following luminescent colors:

• Green and yellow in shortwave (SW) ultraviolet light (England) with phosphorescence.
• Yellowish, with phosphorescence, in longwave (LW) UV light.
• Fluorescence in X-rays.

A large, sharp, lustrous, pseudo-hexagonal yellowish witherite crystal attached to a thin vein of yellow fluorite. The witherite shows blueish white fluorescence; the fluorite blue. This specimen, approximately 4.8 x 4.4 x 3.2 cm, come from the Minerva No. 1 Mine, Cave-in-Rock, Cave-in-Rock Sub-District, Illinois - Kentucky Fluorspar District, Hardin Co., Illinois, USA. © Rob Lavinsky, www.iRocks.com. Used with permission.

Are There Synthetic Witherites?

Scientists have synthesized witherite-strontianite series crystals for mineralogical research. However, there is no known jewelry use for this material.

There are no known gemstone enhancements for witherites.

Where are Witherites Found?

The Minerva Mine in Rosiclare, Illinois produces large yellowish crystals.

In the United Kingdom, various sites — including the type locality (Brownley Hill Mine, Alston Moor, England) — produce fine crystals.

Other notable sources of crystals include the following:

• United States: Arizona; California; Kentucky; Montana; Lockport, New York.
• Austria; Germany; Czech Republic; France; Japan; Russia; Slovakia.

Stone Sizes

Lapidaries normally don't cut witherites into cabochons, since their colors are too pale to be attractive in such a form. Faceted gems, even those under five carats, are usually more translucent than transparent.

How to Care for Witherites

Clean witherites only with warm water, mild detergent, and a soft brush, but don't soak them. Make sure to dry them thoroughly after cleaning.

For more recommendations, consult our gemstone jewelry care guide.