Mellite Gemstone: Properties, Meanings, Value & More

Mellite is a collector’s gemstone that looks like honey, which inspired its name, and many unique properties.

One of mellite’s unique properties is that it’s organic, but doesn’t form like most organic gems like pearls, amber, and coral.

Mellite is also a rare mineral and even rarer gemstone, making it sought-after by collectors.

Here at Gem Rock Auctions, we’re well-versed in lesser-known, unique gemstones, especially beautiful ones like mellite.

Today, we’ll fill you in on everything you need to know about the “honey stone” mellite, from mellite’s meaning and uses to its properties and prices.

Pictured above: Faceted yellow mellite gemstone | Image credit: Didier Descouens, CC-BY-SA-4.0

Introducing the Mellite Stone

Mellite is a rare semi-precious gemstone usually found in honey-like colors, like shades of yellow, reddish, and brownish.

Other names used for mellite are:

• Mellilite

• Xylocryptite

• Honigstein

• Honey-stone / Honey stone / Honeystone

Nicknames involving “honey” like “honeystone gem” are most common.

It’s important not to confuse mellite with melilite, which has similar etymology. “Melilite” refers to minerals in the melilite group, which comprises tetragonal sorosilicates. Most are in the åkermanite-gehlenite series.

Outside of gems, what is mellite used for?

Mellite Uses

Mellite is too rare to be an industrial ingredient, but it’s important for research.

Natural mellite stones may contain preserved insects or plant life thousands of years old.

Scientists have also created synthetic mellite ( from mellitic acid, KOH and Al2(SO4)3.18H2O) to study its geochemistry.

Synthetic mellite hasn’t been made for gemstone purposes, though.

Mellite Specifications & Characteristics

First, is mellite a mineral? Mellite is technically an organic compound, but some also classify it as a mineral. This is also unique, as most organic gems are mineraloids.

Chemically, mellite has a few names:

• Aluminum mellitate

• Aluminum mellitate hydrate

• Aluminum salt of mellitic acid

• Aluminum benzene hexacarboxylate hydrate

• Aluminum mellitate benzene hexacarboxylate hydrate

The complex chemical compound formula for mellite is Al2C6(COO)6·16H2O ↔ Al2O3·C6(COOH)6·13H2O ↔ C6[Al2(COO)6·3H2O]·13H2O.

As a mineral, mellite’s formula is Al2C6(COO)6·16H2O.

Mellite crystals can be prismatic, elongated, or dipyramidal. It occurs in granular, nodular, coatings, or massive habits.

The stone is pyroelectric (holds an electrical charge when heated). It has a sectile tenacity, meaning it can be cut into thin shavings with a knife.

Mellite properties listed:

• Mohs hardness: 2-2.5

• Color: Yellow (honey, wax, or pale), red (pale to deep), brown, brownish, gray; Rarely white or colorless

• Crystal structure: Tetragonal

• Luster: Resinous, vitreous, or greasy

• Transparency: Translucent to transparent

• Refractive index: 1.509-1.541

• Density: 1.58-1.64

• Cleavage: Indistinct/poor on {023}

• Fracture: Conchoidal

• Streak: White

• Luminescence: Fluorescence present, varies; Usually white or blue in SW-UV & lemon yellow in LW-UV; German material - sometimes blue in LW-UV; Russian material - sometimes brown in SW-UV

• Pleochroism: Present but weak - yellow to yellowish-brown

• Birefringence: 0.028-0.032

• Dispersion: None reported

Pictured above: Mellite from England; Personal photos taken as part of GLAM at the Natural History Museum of Lille | Image credit: Lamiot & Musée d'Histoire Naturelle de Lille, CC-BY-SA-4.0

Mellite History

What is the meaning of the name mellite? The name “mellite” comes from the Greek μέλι or meli, meaning “honey,” referencing its honey-like color.

German mineralogist Abraham Gottlob Werner first discovered mellite in the Arten mining area near the Kyffhäuser Mountains in Germany.

Werner’s mentee Christian A.S. Hoffmann reported the discovery in 1789.

Also in 1789, German mineralogist Dietrich Ludwig Gustav Karsten published a report on mellite within Nathanael Gottfried Leske’s mineral cabinet. Karsten called the stone Honigstein, German for “Honeystone.”

In 1790, Australian mineralogist & metallurgist Ignatius von Born wrote about mellite in Eleonore de Raab’s fossil collection. He described it as succin transparent en cristaux octaèdres and Pierre de miel, French for “transparent amber in octahedral crystals” and “Honey stone.”

Irish geologist & chemist Richard Kirwan called the stone “mellilite” in 1794 and 1796.

In 1819, French scientist Antoine César Becquerel discussed mellite, calling it “xylocryptite.”

Mellite Healing Properties

As an often yellow healing stone, mellite’s meaning reflects the joyful and creativity-boosting properties of other yellow gemstones. It’s similarly used as a solar plexus or sacral chakra stone.

Physical Healing

Physically, crystal healers recommend mellite for treating issues related to:

• Chronic illnesses

• Digestion

• Respiratory health

• Cognitive function

Emotional Healing

Emotionally, some of the purported benefits of mellite crystals include:

• Reducing stress and despondence

• Induce feelings of tranquility

• Boost creativity and self-expression

• Promote original thinking

• Help you manifest abundance & success

• Increasing mental clarity

Mellite’s monetary value depends on a few different properties.

Pictured above: Very large, fine mellite crystal with textbook form and high luster | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Mellite Gemstone Properties

The value of mellite gemstones depends on color, cut, clarity/transparency, and carat weight.

Color

Although mellite can rarely be colorless or white, most stones are shades of yellow, red, orange, or brown. You can even find deep red mellites.

The best mellites are usually bright honey-yellow.

Cut

Besides the rarity of facetable material, mellite’s softness also makes faceting difficult. Therefore, faceted mellite gemstones are rare and valuable.

Most mellite stones are sold rough (uncut) or cut into carvings or cabochons,

Clarity & Transparency

Clarity describes the degree of visible inclusions in a stone, which can lower its transparency and value. The best mellites have greater transparency and fewer visible inclusions.

However, translucence and visible inclusions are more common.

Potential inclusions in mellite include:

• Clay

• Plant matter

• Insects

Carat Weight & Size

Don’t expect to find cut mellite gemstones over 1 to 3 carats; many are under 1 carat. Carvings and cabochons may be larger, but they’re usually not very big.

“Synthetics” & Simulants

Many simulants exist for mellite, but sellers often label these as “synthetic” options.

Synthetic versions of stones have the same chemical and physical properties as their natural counterparts, while “simulants” or “imitations” are different stones with a similar appearance.

The most common simulant for mellite is glass.

Pictured above: Sharp, lustrous, yellow mellite crystal of superb quality, some areas gem-quality; Rich Kosnar Collection | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Mellite Formation & Sources

Most organic gemstones form from a living organism or as a by-product of a biological process. Mellite, however, technically forms through inorganic methods.

Mellite is found in lignites (brown coals), so most scientists think it forms through secondary processes involving clay-derived aluminum and decayed plant material.

Mining Locations

The best source for mellite gem material is from the Csordakúti Mine in Hungary. The stone doesn’t come from many places.

The only other verified sources of mellite are:

• Australia

• Austria

• Czech Republic

• France

• Germany

• Italy

• Russia

Pictured above:  Mellite from England | Image credit: Lamiot & Musée d'Histoire Naturelle de Lille, CC-BY-SA-4.0

Mellite Gemstone Price & Value

It may be difficult to find mellite, given its rarity and low demand.

When shopping for mellite, expect to mostly find rough pieces available.Rough mellite specimens are often brown and range from $50 to $1,400 each.

You can find mellite jewelry with the following general pricing:

• Ring: $40 to $70

• Beaded Bracelet: $10 to $30

• Pendant: Around $80

Proper gemstone care is important regardless of which type you buy.

Mellite Care and Maintenance

Given mellite’s softness and sectile tenacity, it’s important to protect it. Opt for protective settings on any mellite jewelry and only wear it occasionally.

Don’t clean mellite with a cloth containing dust, as this could scratch it. Instead, clean it with warm water, mild soap, and a lint-free microfiber cloth.

The stone won’t dissolve in water or alcohol, but it will dissolve in nitric acid (HNO3), so keep that away from mellite.

Store mellite separately from other gems to avoid scratches.

Want to Mellow Out with Mellite?

Mellite is an incredibly unique gemstone, from its chemical properties to its organic-but-inorganic formation to its varied autumnal hues. Not to mention it’s calming, peaceful vibes!

Whether you’re a rare gem collector or simply looking for a special, warm addition to your decor, mellite has plenty to offer. And so do we, with hundreds of gemstones to choose from!

Buy mellite and other marvelous gemstones today!