Parisite Gemstone: Properties, Meanings, Value & More

Parisite is a very rare, commonly brown gemstone containing rare earth elements (or REEs). It’s better known as an inclusion in Colombian emeralds, though it’s a sought-after specimen for mineral collectors.

Don’t be dissuaded by the name, by the way — nothing to do with parasites here!

Technically, “parisite” is a group of rare-earth minerals, with a few members having the name “parisite” followed by which rare-earth element is dominant. When “parisite” is used to describe an individual stone in the group, it’s usually referring to the cerium-dominant mineral: parisite-(Ce).

Today, we’ll teach you all about this rare gemstone, including parisite mineral uses, properties, prices, history, and more!

About Parisite Stone

Parisite is a semi-precious gemstone, but it’s known for being found as an inclusion in the precious gemstone emerald. In fact, parisite inclusions in emeralds can tell you if that emerald is from Colombia, though these inclusions are still rare. You may also see parisite inside Colombian quartz stones.

As an inclusion, parisite may be incorporated into emeralds used as traditional May birthstones, 55th wedding anniversary gemstones, or Cancer zodiac birthstones.

Outside of the gem sphere, what are the uses of parisite?

Since parisite is so rare, it’s not used industrially super often, but the rare earth elements in its composition are valuable. Uses for cerium or cerium oxide specifically include:

• Creating iron and aluminum alloys

• Catalyst in catalytic converters of exhaust vehicles

• Reducing nitrogen oxides to nitrogen gas

• Hardening stainless steel

• Making permanent magnets

• Medicinal antioxidant

• Polishing glass

• Incandescent gas mantles

• Self-cleaning oven catalyst

Next, what are the properties of parasite crystals?

Parisite Specifications & Characteristics

“Parisite” refers to a group of calcium rare-earth fluoro-carbonates or a member of this group with predominant rare-earth element composition. The most abundant mineral in the group (though still rare) is the cerium-dominant parisite-(Ce).

Other parisite minerals in the group include neodymium-dominant parisite-(Nd) and lanthanum-dominant parisite-(La).

So, what is the formula for the parisite mineral? The formula for parisite minerals is written as Ca(Ce,La)2(CO3)3F2 or Ca(Nd,Ce,La)2(CO3)3F2. Parisite-(Ce) has the formula Ca(Ce)2(CO3)3F2, as it’s a cerium calcium fluoro-carbonate.

The mineral only occurs as crystals, which are almost always small. Parisite crystals are usually acicular (needle-like), slender and prismatic, or dipyramidal (steep or acute). They can also be rhombohedral and some have horizontal striation.

All of parisite’s properties listed:

• Mohs hardness: 4.5

• Color: Brown, brownish-yellow, yellowish-brown, grayish-yellow, orange, red, black, colorless

• Crystal structure: Monoclinic (pseudo-hexagonal)

• Luster: Vitreous, greasy, or resinous; Pearly on basal cleavage surfaces

• Transparency: Transparent to translucent

• Refractive index: 1.671 to 1.771

• Density: 4.33-4.39

• Cleavage: Distinct/good basal on [0001] (or parting) possibly due to alteration

• Fracture: Subconchoidal to splintery

• Streak: White

• Luminescence: None

• Pleochroism: Present but weak - light yellow to golden-yellow

• Birefringence: 0.081-0.104

• Optical effects: Very rarely asterism, color-change

Pictured above: Parisite-(Ce) crystal | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Types of Parisite

A few exceptional (and exceptionally rare) parisite specimens have displayed optical phenomena.

One phenomena is asterism, seen very rarely in some parisite cabochons. This effect is usually from bunches of fibrous inclusions that reflect a multi-rayed “star” of light on the stone’s surface.

The other is a color-changing effect, seen in a Colombian specimen studied in 2021 that appeared reddish-brown in daylight and yellowish-brown in artificial lighting.

Now, what is parisite for spiritually? We’ll answer that as we go over parisite’s symbolism next.

Parisite Meaning & History

As a primarily brown crystal, parisite symbolizes stability, comfort, and strength. Brown stones evoke the beauty and nourishment of being in nature.

Parisite individually represents the duality of fragility and strength, highlighting the importance of vulnerability and believing in our own emotional resilience.

History

The name “parisite” honors J.J. Paris, the man who first discovered the crystal at the Muzo Mine in Colombia — known for producing high-quality emeralds — while he was the mine’s manager from 1828 to 1848.

Italian political figure and mineralogy enthusiast Lavino Spada de Medici first wrote about the mineral in 1835, calling it “musite.” He later renamed it “parisite” in 1845.

In 1899, a second source of parisite was discovered in Ravalli County, Montana, USA.

A similar mineral with the formula CaCe(CO3)2F, now known as synchysite, was found in Greenland in 1901 and initially mistaken for parisite. In fact, Swedish geoscientist Gustav Flink chose the name “synchysite” after the Greek term synchys, meaning “confounding,” because of the confusion.

Shifting gears, what are the spiritual properties of parisite?

Parisite Healing Properties

As a healing stone, parisite joins other brown gemstones in promoting grounding and security. These crystals are also great root chakra stones.

But what are the benefits of parisite physically and emotionally?

Physical Healing

Physically, parisite crystals are said to treat or help with:

• Nutrient absorption

• Anemia

• Stomach problems

• UTIs

Emotional Healing

Emotionally, crystal healers recommend parisite for promoting trust and honesty. The stone is also believed to help you tap into unrealized potential and aid in mindfulness by centering you.

Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Parisite Gemstone Properties

Besides the inherent rarity value, parisite gemstones are also graded on color, cut, clarity, and carat weight. There are no current treatments or synthetic options known.

Color

Most parisite stones have brown coloring, but they may look colorless to yellow in transmitted light. Parisite gems can also be yellow, grayish-yellow, red, black, or orange.

Besides the extremely rare color-changing specimens, the best parisite stones have strong, even coloring with good saturation.

Cut

Finding facetable parisite crystals is difficult, making faceted options scarce and valuable. Many mineral collectors will keep rough (uncut) parisite specimens without having them faceted.

The rare “star” parasites (that display asterism) must be cut as cabochons to display this effect properly.

Clarity

Unfortunately, parisite crystals are often heavily included, meaning there are lots of visible inclusions inside. This not only makes them more fragile — as actions like heat or vibration can cause them to shatter — but it also makes them more difficult to cut into gems.

Common inclusions in parisite crystals include fingerprints, two-phase inclusions, and internal fractures.

Carat Weight

Since the majority of parisite crystals are small, faceted parisite gems usually weigh under 1 carat. A couple of considerably large cut parisite gems include a 10.794-carat cabochon at the Smithsonian and a 5.38-carat faceted parisite in the Edward J. Gübelin Collection, both of which are Colombian in origin.

All that said, rough parasite crystals have been found in large sizes, like some from the Muzo Mine that weigh up to 385.66 carats! The downside (in terms of faceting potential) is the prevalence of heavy inclusions.

Parisite Formation & Sources

Parisite minerals are usually found in carbonaceous shale beds. At the Muzo Mine type locality, parasite crystals form in bituminous limestone dated to the Cretaceous period (145.5 and 65.5 million years ago).

Minerals also find near parisite at the Muzo Mine include:

• Quartz

• Emerald

• Pyrite

• Calcite

• Marcasite

• Albite

• Gypsum

At other locations, parisite is often associated with calcite, fluorite, riebeckite, and zircon.

Mining Locations

Since parisite inclusions are seen in Colombian emeralds and Colombian quartz stones, it’s unsurprising that Colombia (specifically the Muzo Mine) is the main source of parisite.

Other locations that have produced parisite include:

• Brazil

• Canada

• China

• Germany

• India

• Italy

• Madagascar

• Malawi

• Norway

• Pakistan

• USA (Montana, California, Massachusetts)

Of these, the only locales that have produced facetable, gem-quality crystals besides Colombia are Montana, USA, and Mount Malosa, Malawi, in East Africa.

Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Parisite Price & Value

Parisite is quite rare, so good-quality crystals and gemstones command high prices.

High-quality, attractive raw parisite crystals can go for $130 to $1,250 each for sizes up to 25 carats and $5,000 or higher for sizes above 200 carats. Lower-quality parisite rough is generally $20 to $100.

Faceted parisite gemstones start around $50 per carat and reach $600 per carat, with most falling around $140 per carat.

Parisite Care and Maintenance

In terms of gemstone care, parisite is fairly soft with distinct cleavage and usually many inclusions, so be gentle handling it. Only get parisite jewelry with protective settings.

For your own safety, all parisite stones (cerium, niobium, or lanthanum-dominant) are weakly radioactive. Luckily, the stone is almost always small enough that the radiation is inconsequential.

The amount of exposure most people in the US are exposed to annually from things like consumer goods and medical work would equal the exposure you’d get nine days after holding 500 carats (100 grams) of parisite. Take extra precautions if you’re cutting the stone, though.

Back to caring for parisite, keep it away from hot, strong acids and ultrasonic or heat cleaners. Only clean it with a soft toothbrush, warm water, and mild soap.

Don’t Pass On Parisite!

Are you looking for a rare, lesser-known gem with an earthy look? Then parisite could be the perfect gem for you. If the name turns you off, just think of Paris rather than parasite — a city as unique as this crystal!

Buy parisite gemstones today!