Scorodite Gemstone: Properties, Meanings, Value & More

Scorodite is a variety of variscite known for its rarity and occasional resemblance to tanzanite. Although it’s not very durable, scorodite gemstones can have gorgeous coloring and pleochroism (different colors at different viewing angles), making them sought-after by collectors.

The scorodite mineral is pretty common, but any cut scorodite gemstones are very rare. That said, scorodites are the most commonly faceted variscite variety.

An even rarer form of scorodite is color-changing, shifting from blue-green in daylight to gray-blue or bluish-purple under incandescent light.

Today, we’ll tell you all about scorodite as a mineral and gemstone, including its prices, history, properties, benefits, and more!

Pictured above: Bright blue scorodite crystal cluster miniature | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

About Scorodite Stone

Scorodite (sometimes spelled “skorodite”) is a rare semi-precious gemstone in the variscite family. Other monikers for the stone include:

• Arsenic sinter

• Cupreous arsenate of iron

• Cupromartial arsenate

• Martian arsenate of copper

• Loaisite

• Ioguneite

One important name to know is “scorolite.” The name “scorolite” is sometimes mistakenly considered a synonym of scorodite. However, “scorolites” sold online are usually purple beads made of glass or quartz. They can even be mislabeled as “scorolite opals,” but they should be identified as simulants (imitations).

Since some scorodites resemble tanzanite, these gems can substitute as December birthstones and 24th wedding anniversary stones.

Outside of gemstones, what are the uses of scorodite?

Scorodite Uses

The primary industrial or commercial use of scorodite currently is in researching how to immobilize and dispose of arsenic safely, since scorodite dissolves easily and efficiently leaching substances like arsenic.

Scientists have created synthetic scorodite crystals through various methods since the 1980s for research into scorodite’s mineralogy and what kind of scorodite is best for stabilizing and leaching arsenic.

Speaking of scorodite’s mineralogy…

Pictured above: Blue scorodite crystals on matrix; Formerly in Dr. Miguel Romero collection | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Scorodite Specifications & Characteristics

First, what is the formula for scorodite? As a hydrated ferric iron arsenate, scorodite’s formula is Fe3+(AsO4)·2H2O. Aluminum is a common impurity. Phosphate (PO4) can substitute for arsenic oxide (AsO4) in scorodite, and strengite molecules may be dispersed throughout the stone — all of these variations cause scorodite’s different colors.

What is the crystal structure of scorodite? It’s orthorhombic, which ties into its mineral group.

Scorodite is a variety of variscite, so it’s in the variscite mineral group of orthorhombic phosphates and arsenates. The other members of this group include variscite, yanomamite, strengite, and mansfieldite.

Mansfielditeand strengite each form series with scorodite, but scorodite is the most common of these. Arsenic-dominant but intermediate members of the scorodite-strengite series are called “phosphoscorodite.”

Variscite and strengite are the phosphate members of the mineral group, while scorodite, mansfieldite, and yanomamite are the arsenate members.

Scorodite crystals can be pyramidal, dipyramidal, tabular, or prismatic in shape. Many crystals are tiny and found as geode crusts, clusters, or botryoidal aggregates. The mineral also occurs in porous, sinter-like, and cryptocrystalline masses or earthy frostings.

Notably, scorodite’s birefringence, 2V axial angles, density, and refractive indices vary based on its composition, influenced by the source. The three properties will decrease if there’s less Fe3+ and Al3+ and more AsO4 and PO4. When this is reversed, the three properties will increase.

Scorodite properties listed:

• Mohs hardness: 3.5-4

• Color: Green, brown, grayish-green, gray, yellowish-brown, brown, brownish-green, blue-green, blue, violet, colorless

• Crystal structure: Orthorhombic

• Luster: Usually vitreous to sub-adamantine or adamantine, sometimes resinous

• Transparency: Translucent to semi-transparent

• Refractive index: 1.738-1.820; Varies by locality

• Density: 3.27-3.29; May vary by locality

• Cleavage: Imperfect/fair on {201}

• Fracture: Subconchoidal or splintery

• Streak: Greenish-white

• Luminescence: None

• Pleochroism: Present, weak to intense - blue to purple or blue-violet to blue-green or violet-blue to greenish-blue to bright red

• Birefringence: 0.027-0.036; Varies by locality

• Dispersion: Relatively strong

• Optical phenomena: Very rarely color-changing

Pictured above: Old-time botryoidal, blue-green to yellow scorodite on mountain-shaped gossan matrix from Utah; From collection dating prior to World War I | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Scorodite History

The first official discovery of scorodite minerals occurred in Germany in the early 1800s. The type locality is the Stamm Asser Mine in Saxony, Germany.

German mineralogist Johann Friedrich August Breithaupt chose the name “scorodit” (later respelled to scorodite) in 1818. It’s derived from the Greek skorodon, meaning “garlic,” because it smells like garlic when heated.

However, like jeremejevite, gem-quality scorodite specimens wouldn’t be found until over a century after the mineral’s initial discovery.

In 1975, gem-quality scorodite resembling tanzanite was discovered in Tsumeb, Namibia, only two years after the first gem-quality jeremejevite was discovered in Cape Cross, Namibia. Coincidentally, tanzanite had been discovered in another African country (Tanzania) less than a decade prior in 1967.

Other Names

Scorodite has gone through many names, some even proposed after the name “scorodite” was introduced.

The first recorded mention of scorodite was in 1801, when French soldier and mineralogist Jacques-Louis de Bournon called the mineral “cupromartial arsenate.”

In 1809, French mineralogist René Just Haüy wrote about the stone, calling it Cuivre arseniaté ferrifére, French for “ferriferous arsenic copper.”

Other names proposed after Breithaupt’s “scorodite” in 1818 were:

• “Néoctèse” by French mineralogist François Sulpice Beudant in 1832

• “Arseniksinter, Eisensinte” (German for “arsenic sinter, iron sinter) by German mineralogist Otto Wilhelm Hermann von Abich in 1845

• “Jogynaite” by Finnish mineralogist Nils Gustaf Nordenskiöld in 1849

• “Kobalt-scorodit” by M. Lippmann in 1857

• “Loaisite” (for specimens found in Loaysa, Colombia) by Colombian mineralogist Ricardo Lleras Codazzi in 1908

Shifting gears, what are the healing properties of scorodite?

Pictured above: Large blue scorodite crystal thumbnail specimen with bluish-purple surface sheen and sharp geometry | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Scorodite Healing Properties

As a primarily green healing stone, scorodite’s meaning reflects the balancing and rejuvenating properties of other green gemstones. Energy healers use scorodite for aligning the heart, solar plexus, and throat chakras.

Physical Healing

Physically, scorodite is said to help with issues related to:

• Blood circulation

• Vision

• Respiratory health

Emotional Healing

Emotionally, crystal healers recommend scorodite for:

• Boosting focus, especially for analysis

• Dispelling negativity

• Promoting resilience

• Bringing serenity and grounding

Outside of healing, what is scorodite’s value as a gemstone?

Pictured above: A two-piece set of gemmy indigo-blue scorodite crystals from Tsumeb, Namibia; Irv Brown Collection| Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Scorodite Gemstone Properties

Besides their rarity, scorodite gemstone value is based on their color, cut, clarity, and carat weight.

Color

Most scorodite stones are leek green to liver brown, but they can also be various other colors like yellowish-brown, gray, colorless, blue-green, blue, or violet.

Rich tanzanite-like blue and violet hues are usually most valuable, along with color-changing scorodites.

Cut

Given the rarity of gem-quality scorodite material, any cut gemstones are valuable. That said, faceted scorodites can be more valuable. The stone can also be cut into cabochons.

Clarity

Clarity describes the degree of visible inclusions in a gem, which can lower its value. Most scorodite gems have inclusions, which may be:

• Colorless solid and fluid inclusions

• Fractures

• Hair-like fibers, sometimes in parallel arrays

• Liquid feathers, sometimes intersecting

• Concentrations of fluid droplets or hoses

• Dry, criss-crossing cracks

• Tiny, scattered, dark lumps with irregular shapes composed of chalcocite, Al-oxihydrate, and hematite or goethite

Some of these inclusions can give the stone a cloudy or wispy appearance.

Carat Weight & Size

Pretty much all scorodite gemstones are under 5 carats, which is still a high weight for the stone. Even rough, individual scorodite crystals are usually small.

Speaking of rough, how does scorodite formation happen?

Pictured above: Cluster of sharp metallic blue scorodite crystals with pyrite crystals | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Scorodite Formation & Sources

Scorodite is a secondary mineral, meaning it forms when other minerals are altered. In this case, arsenic-bearing minerals like arsenopyrite oxidize into scorodite. However, weathering can also make scorodite turn into limonite.

As such, many scorodite specimens are found in oxidation zones of iron-bearing arsenides. The mineral is also found in gossans and hydrothermal deposits.

Geographically, where is scorodite found?

Mining Locations

The top sources of gem-quality scorodite material are Namibia, Brazil, and Mexico.

Other significant sources for attractive crystals include:

• Algeria

• Canada

• China

• India

• Germany

• Japan

• Morocco

• Portugal

• UK

• USA (California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming)

Pictured above: Sharp cluster of light blue scorodite crystals | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Scorodite Price & Value

The most expensive types of scorodite for sale are faceted gems, which are quite hard to find. Color-changing faceted scorodites are even more valuable, ranging from around $13,600 to $17,250 per carat — though the stones are much smaller than 1 carat, so the total prices are around $270 to $350.

Scorodite cabochons are generally around $10 to $20 per carat.

Rough scorodite specimens vary broadly, mostly based on if its gemmy and attractive in color (often blue to violet) and large. On the lower end, small, lower-quality specimens are around $10 to $80. On the high end, large, gemmy blue specimens are around $180 up to $10,000.

Scorodite Care and Maintenance

Before we get to gemstone care, is scorodite toxic? Fibers of scorodite are toxic to inhale, since the stone contains arsenic. Plus, it’s low hardness means it scratches easily, making the fibers release more easily.

As such, we recommend keeping the stone in an enclosed display case rather than opting for scorodite jewelry. Anyone cutting scorodite gems should wear proper safety equipment and wash their hands frequently.

Scorodite will dissolve in acids. It’s best to clean it with warm water, mild soap, and a soft, microfiber cloth.

Pictured above: Sharp, lustrous scorodite crystal cluster with purplish sheen on miniature pyrite matrix | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Looking to Score a Scorodite?

Scorodite may require a gentle (and often glove-enclosed) touch, but a beautiful scorodite gem makes a stunning addition to any rare gem collection.

Buy scorodite and other super gemstones today!