Hiddenite Gems
&
The Hiddenite Ring

Hiddenite gems, also known as the “Carolina Emerald” are very rare, and most people outside of gemstone circles have never even heard of this green colored translucent gem.

Hiddenite gemstones were first discovered in the late 19th century in North Carolina. Geologist, William Earl Hidden sent samples of the stone for identification and, after it was determined that the stone was a variety of a mineral named Spodumene, it was named hiddenite after William Earl Hidden.

The discovery of this unique gem, and its new found popularity, led North Carolina to name the community around the mine ‘Hiddenite.’ Today, Hiddenite North Carolina is one of the only places where true hiddenite is mined; hiddenite deposits have also been discovered in Brazil, California (U.S.), China, and Madagascar.

Properties of Hiddenite:

Durability = Good
Hardness = 6.5 – 7.0
Refractive Index = 1.67
Specific Gravity = 3.1

Enhancements = Rarely some forms of hiddenite are irradiated to improve color, although this treatment will decrease the value of the gem.

Special Care = Hiddenite can chip or crack under pressure. Those who wear a hiddenite ring should try to avoid any hard knocks or hits to their gemstone.

Other Notable Properties = Hiddenite is a gemstone which has a strong pleochroic characteristic, meaning that the gemstone will emit different light and color intensities when viewed from different angles.

Price Guide:

The average cost of hiddenite gems is $100.00 per carat, but the value of the stone can vary widely according to the cut, clarity, color, and carat of the stone.

The most highly desirable colors are deep greens, and the lighter green-yellow varieties are valued less than the darker green varieties. A custom cut and excellent degree of clarity will also increase the value of the stone, as will the carat size.

Hiddenite is one of the most challenging gemstones to cut due to a property known as cleavage; this stone has perfect cleavage, and if it is hit at the wrong angle it will shatter or break. Because of this characteristic, and the rarity of the gem, a finely cut hiddenite gemstone that is 1 or more carats and set in a quality ring can reach on average around $1000 or more dollars.

Meaning of Hiddenite:

Hiddenite is a gemstone for those who want to look inward; this gemstone is believed to help release negative emotions, encourage charitable actions, and to bring about clarity through deep introspection.

Alternative to Hiddenite:

It can be challenging to find a quality cut hiddenite gem which has already been set in a ring. If you love the color and durability of hiddenite, but you are having difficulties finding a ring or a cut gem that can be crafted into a ring, consider green amethyst as an alternative. Green amethyst has a similar color as hiddenite, is slightly more durable and has a lower price particularly in larger carat sizes.

Shopping Tips for Hiddenite Rings:

There is still some controversy surrounding exactly what classifies a gemstone as a hiddenite, and some gemstone sellers have begun labeling any type of transparent green gemstone as hiddenite.

True hiddenite is certainly a variety of the spodumene mineral, and any other gemstones labeled as hiddenite that are not a variety of spodumene have been mislabeled.

Some gemologists believe that true hiddenite is only the green colored variety of spodumene, while others believe that the only true hiddenite is those gemstones that are found in Hiddenite, North Carolina.

For now, shoppers would do well to purchase gemstones labeled as hiddenite only if they are green in color (some more affordable varieties are a green-yellow in color), and only if they are from Brazil, China, Madagascar, or the U.S.(California and North Carolina).

Keep in mind that true dark green hiddenite that has a good carat size, and quality cut, is very rare; if someone is trying to sell you hiddenite gemstones which match this description for a very cheap price, chances are you are not buying real hiddenite.

Never purchase a hiddenite ring or gem without a refund policy and a reliable contact number/address of the seller. Have your gem inspected by an independent jeweler to confirm its authenticity as well.

Questions Or Comments About Hiddenite Gems?

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