Prosopite Gemstone: Properties, Meanings, Value & More

Prosopite is a somewhat rare mineral usually found with topaz as small white crystals. Its history stretches back to the 1800s, but it’s not well-known outside of collector’s circles

However, a special kind of prosopite only found in Mexico has elevated the gemstone: a beautiful robin’s egg blue variety perfect for cabochons to hold or set in a Tiffany-esque piece of jewelry.

We’ve been in the gem industry for decades now, so we appreciate an underdog like prosopite. We’re excited to share all the properties, history, value factors, and benefits of prosopite so you can appreciate it just as much!

Pictured above: Crudely crystallized blue prosopite from Mexico | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

What Is A Prosopite Stone?

Prosopite (pronounced PRAW-soh-pyte) is a rare semi-precious gemstone typically found as colorless or white crystals. But those in the gem world know prosopite for its rare robin’s egg blue coloring.

At first glance, prosopite is a bit of a chameleon, blending in with other minerals. Blue prosopite in particular is easy to mistake for turquoise.

As a turquoise simulant, prosopite can be used as a December birthstone, lucky Sagittarius zodiac stone, and 11th wedding anniversary gem.

Prosopite Specifications & Characteristics

As an alumino-fluoride of calcium, prosopite’s formula is officially written as CaAl2F4(OH)4 according to the International Mineralogical Association (IMA). Other mineralogists write the formula as CaAl2(F,OH)8 or even CaAl2F4[(OH)4-xFx] where x can be 0.0 to 1.0.

Blue prosopite from Mexico gets its coloring from copper; in fact, Mexican prosopites usually have a copper content of 1.4 percent.

When it comes to habits, prosopite crystals are usually small and tabular or prismatic. More often, the mineral is found as granular to powdery masses.

The optic character of prosopite is biaxial (+).

Here’s a complete list of prosopite properties:

• Mohs hardness: 4.5

• Color: Colorless, white, grayish, greenish-white, turquoise-blue, rarely reddish-white

• Crystal structure: Monoclinic

• Luster: Vitreous or dull

• Transparency: Transparent to opaque (often starts transparent & becomes more translucent with exposure)

• Refractive index: 1.501-1.510

• Density: 2.88-2.894 or 2.69-2.85 for Mexican prosopite

• Cleavage: Perfect 1-direction on {111} for crystals; None for masses

• Fracture: Conchoidal or irregular/uneven

• Streak: White

• Luminescence: Fluorescence often present, especially in Greenland specimens - Blue, bluish-white, violet, or violet-blue in LW-UV & bluish-white, blue, or orange-yellow in SW-UV

• Pleochroism: None

• Birefringence: 0.009-0.010

• Dispersion: None

Pictured above: Turquoise beaded bracelet

Prosopite vs Turquoise

As we mentioned earlier, blue prosopite and turquoise look very similar at first glance. Their coloring is similar, along with their densities and hardness levels.

One key difference is the refractive index. The refractive indices of prosopite (1.501-1.510) are notably lower than the RI values of turquoise (1.590-1.650). If you have a refractometer, you can tell the difference in a snap.

Additionally, turquoise is much more common, so you’re more likely to come across turquoise than prosopite.

Prosopite History

Before prosopite’s official discovery, German geologists Johann F.W. von Charpentier and Johann Friedrich August Breithaupt (AKA August Breithaupt) mentioned minerals that were probably prosopite in 1799 and 1815, respectively.

Notably, Charpentier used the name Speckstein meaning “soapstone” (later used for the talc variety steatite) for the mineral.

German mineralogist & geologist Karl Johann August Theodor Scheerer (AKA Theodor Scheerer) wrote the first official report of prosopite in 1853 based on soapstone pseudomorph specimens from a tin mine at Altenberg in Saxony, Germany — now the mineral’s type locality.

After some experimentation and analysis, Scheerer proved that prosopite was a new mineral.

Scheerer noted that its appearance is probably often masked, particularly with minerals like soapstone. So, he chose the name “prosopite” (written as Prosopit in Scheerer’s native German) from the Greek word prosōpon meaning “mask.”

Prosopite Healing Properties

You know the etymology behind prosopite’s meaning, but you may not know it also ties into the stone’s spiritual meaning. The Greek root of the word prosopon translates to “mask” or “face,” used in ancient Greek theater for revealing different personas to the audience.

The term “prosopon” is used more in theological circles of Christianity today. But “prosopon” (and prosopite) relates back to the idea of uniting different versions of yourself and discovering which aspects of yourself you should extend out into the world.

On that spiritual note, let’s look at how crystal healers harness prosopite’s spiritual benefits.

Physical Healing

Crystal healers recommend blue gemstones like prosopite for treating physical ailments related to:

• Nutrient absorption

• Cramps

• Breathing

• Immune system

• Blood circulation

Emotional Healing

Emotionally, using prosopite as a healing stone is said to:

• Lower fatigue

• Dispel anxiety

• Increase emotional balance

• Encourage greater intuition

• Facilitate healthier communication

Chakra Healing

Chakra healing is a process for opening blocked energy centers (chakras) to bring balance to your spiritual, physical, and emotional being. Blue crystals are usually used for the throat chakra, but prosopite’s similarity to turquoise makes it an excellent heart chakra stone.

The heart chakra governs love, acceptance, and empathy. Blockages can lead to feelings of self-hatred, apathy, or detachment from loved ones. Opening the heart chakra with a crystal like prosopite invites greater acceptance of life’s ups and downs along with openness to love.

Pictured above: Lavender prosopite with green amazonite on one end and ralstonite & tomsenolite on the other end, found in Virginia (USA) | Image credit: Mark Joseph Wylie, Public domain

Prosopite Gemstone Properties

In addition to the rarity of gem-quality material, prosopite’s value also hinges on its color, cut, clarity, transparency, and carat weight.

Color

Most often, prosopite is found as colorless, white, or pale gray. The interesting prosopite specimens have other elements in play like copper that lend rare hues of blue, greenish-blue, and even pale red sometimes.

The best prosopite color is medium robin’s egg blue that’s uniform across the stone without visible inclusions. These are currently only found in Mexico.

Cut

Cuttable material is scarce, with most only suited for prosopite cabochons. Still, well-cut cabochons with good coloring can be high-value. Faceted prosopite is very rare, usually semi-translucent, white, and cut into trillion, octagon, lozenge, or hexagon shapes.

You can also find rough (uncut) prosopite for sale.

Clarity & Transparency

Like any gemstone, inclusions in prosopite can negatively affect its clarity and transparency. More visible inclusions generally means lower value, though faceted prosopite gems with visible inclusions may still carry higher value based on their rarity.

Often, prosopite contains matrix inclusions of the minerals or rocks it grew with. These matrix inclusions may even form patterns like spiderwebs.

Prosopite is sometimes found as an inclusion, too.

For example, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) noted in their Fall 2021 edition of Gems & Gemology that growth tube inclusions “may contain epigenetic minerals encapsulated within such as limonite, cookeite, hematite, prosopite, and tourmaline.”

Carat Weight & Size

Gem-quality prosopite material is scarce, especially facetable crystals. Faceted prosopite gemstones are always under 3 carats, usually around 1 carat. Prosopite cabochons can be slightly larger, ranging from around 4 to 15 carats but generally around 5 carats.

Pictured above: White to lavender prosopite crystal with unknown yellow crust | Image credit: J. Patrick Fischer, CC-BY-SA-4.0

Prosopite Formation & Sources

Prosopite may start as another mineral. Often, a mineral like topaz will undergo changes from hot groundwater carrying dissolved fluorine and aluminum. The elements in this fluid (along with the sodium already present) can replace the topaz’s crystal structure though the outside looks the same — a pseudomorph.

However, hot fluids containing those elements can also settle into rocks and evaporate, precipitating prosopite directly through primary hydrothermal formation.

Miners find prosopite in tin veins, carbonatites, greisens, granite pegmatites, and fluorine-rich granites.

Minerals commonly associated with prosopite include:

• Fluorite

• Hematite

• Kaolinite

• Siderite

• Cryolite

• Topaz

• Thomsenolite

• Quartz

• Gearksutite

• Amazonite

• Azurite

• Weberite

• Pachnolite

• Elpasolite

• Ralstonite

Mining Locations

The best source of gorgeous turquoise-blue prosopite is Santa Rosa, Mexico. Facetable material can also be found in Greenland and Colorado (USA).

Other sources of attractive prosopite crystals include:

• Australia (Tasmania)

• Germany

• Namibia

• USA (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah)

Pictured above: Lavender prosopite with blue-green amazonite and black tantalite-(Mn) on white gearksutite | Image credit: Mark Joseph Wylie, Public domain

Prosopite Price & Value

It’s probably no surprise that cut prosopite gemstones — faceted or cut en cabochon — are the highest-cost option. But they’re more affordable than you might think.

Faceted prosopite gemstones range from around $20 to $40 per carat or about $25 to $50 total.

You can find gorgeous blue prosopite cabochons for around $15 to $25 per carat or $85 to $200 total.

Rough prosopite stone prices range a bit more, starting around $10 and going up to around $250.

Prosopite Care and Maintenance

Firstly, it’s important to know that alumino-fluoride minerals like prosopite can cause dangerous reactions if swallowed or ingested. It’s crucial to keep prosopite stored safely away from pets or children who might put it in their mouth.

To keep the gem safe, always opt for protective settings for prosopite rings and don’t wear prosopite jewelry every day.

Given the stone’s low hardness, perfect cleavage, and propensity for lots of inclusions, it’s important to be careful handling prosopite. Only clean it with a soft toothbrush or cloth, mild soap, and warm water — not mechanical systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is prosopite?

Prosopite is a calcium aluminum fluoride mineral usually found as small colorless crystals but beloved in the gem world in its rare robin’s egg blue cabochon form.

Is prosopite a good stone for jewelry?

For some jewelry, yes. Prosopite has a low resistance to sharp blows and scratches, so pendants or brooches are best. Prosopite rings or bracelets should have protective settings and be reserved for occasional wear.

How can you tell prosopite apart from turquoise?

You can use a refractometer to tell blue prosopite apart from turquoise, as prosopite has a lower refractive index (1.501-1.510) than turquoise (1.590-1.650).

Is prosopite rare?

Yes. Prosopite minerals are relatively rare, and gem-quality material is especially rare, especially in high quality or large sizes.

Where does prosopite come from?

The best blue material for cabochons comes from Mexico. Greenland and Colorado are also important sources of colorless facetable prosopite crystals.

Ready to Prosper with Prosopite?

Prosopite is a lesser-known but gorgeous crystal with ties across continents and spiritual dimensions. Whether it’s a faceted white prosopite gem or a stunning blue prosopite cabochon, prosopite is definitely worthy of a place in your collection.

Buy prosopite and other gorgeous gemstones today!