Dolomite Gemstone: Properties, Meanings, Value & More

Dolomite is a colorless, tan, or pink mineral known for its unusual saddle-shaped crystal clusters. Is dolomite a gemstone? Absolutely! Although, it’s more popular as a collector’s gem. 

You should know “dolomite” refers to both the dolomite mineral and the dolomite rock. The rock is also called dolostone, but some still call it “dolomite.” Don’t worry — we’ll only call the mineral “dolomite” and the rock “dolostone.”

What makes dolomite unique? We’ll answer that today as we dig into dolomite gemstone properties, varieties, uses, and more!

About Dolomite Stone

Dolomite is a popular mineral specimen that shares its name with Italy’s Dolomite Alps. Besides dolostone, dolomite is also an essential part of other gemstones such as Tiffany stone and synthetic opalite. 

You may see dolomite inclusions in precious gemstones like emeralds and rubies, or more commonly quartz. Dolomite beads are even used to cultivate pearls! 

Beyond gems, dolomite uses stretch across various industries.

Here’s what dolomite is used for:

• Stabilizing glass

• Providing magnesia

• Researching particles

• Restoring streams

Astrologically, dolomite is a zodiac stone for Aries. Dyed dolomite resembles turquoise and can substitute for this traditional December birthstone. 

Dolomite Specifications & Characteristics

The dolomite mineral is a calcium magnesium carbonate with the formula CaMg(CO3)2. Common additional elements are manganese, zirconium, iron, lead, and cobalt.

The rock dolostone is a sedimentary carbonate rock composed of over 50 percent dolomite. Dolomites are found as crystals, crystal clusters, or masses, which are more durable. 

Here are all the dolomite crystal properties:

• Mohs hardness: 3.5-4 - Varies by crystal direction

• Color: Colorless, white, gray, pink, or tan, very rarely light blue (dolomite); Tan, brown, white, or gray (ankerite); Pink, white, or tan (kutnohorite)

• Crystal structure: Trigonal

• Luster: Vitreous to pearly (dolomite & ankerite); Subvitreous, resinous, or dull (kutnohorite)

• Transparency: Transparent to translucent (crystals); Translucent to opaque (masses)

• Refractive index: 1.50-1.68 (dolomite); 1.51-1.75 (ankerite); 1.52-1.73 (kutnohorite)

• Density: 2.84-2.93 (dolomite); 2.93-3.10 (ankerite); 3.10-3.12 (kutnohorite)

• Cleavage: Perfect 3-direction (dolomite); Perfect 1-direction on [1011] (ankerite & kutnohorite)

• Fracture: Conchoidal (dolomite); Subconchoidal (ankerite & kutnohorite)

• Streak: White

• Luminescence: Sometimes triboluminescence (friction-induced glow); Sometimes fluorescence - Manganoan dolomite - light pink to bright red in SW-UV and LW-UV; Dolomite - White, blue, light green, or orange in LW-UV & white, blue, light green, or tan in SW-UV

What’s with the “ankerite” and “kutnohorite” mentioned above? We’ll explain next!

Types of Dolomite

Dolomite has seven varieties we’ll discuss. Four of them aren’t varieties so much as variants, meaning they’re only slightly different, not distinct enough to warrant a separate variety:

• Cuprian Dolomite: Light green variant containing cuprite

• Cobaltoan Dolomite: Rare, bright pink to fuchsia variant containing cobalt

• Manganoan Dolomite: Pink variant containing manganese

• Ferroan Dolomite: Pinkish-red to brown variant containing ferrous iron (Fe2+), but less iron than magnesium

The next “varieties” are in the dolomite series. Generally, that means they share the same crystal structure but an element in their formulas is changed: 

• Ankerite: Typically tan to brown (can be white or gray), translucent to transparent type containing iron and manganese, with more iron than magnesium

• Kutnohorite: Rare, manganese-rich, commonly pink (can be white or tan) and translucent type

• Minrecordite: Very rare, translucent white or colorless type containing zinc and calcium

Pictured above: Wave dolomite

Dolostone Varieties

Dolostone is also used as a gemstone, so it’s worth knowing the dolostone varieties:

• Caymanite: White, red, or black Cayman Islands variety sometimes color-banded in orange, brown, and gray 

• Kona Dolomite: Ancient pink to red variety containing teal-colored fossilized algae (stromatolites), often patterned in yellow, orange, brown, gray, and white

• Wave Dolomite: Also called Rolling Hills dolomite, a type of Kona dolomite with waved banding in orange, tan, and red shades

Caymanite is harder than any varieties mentioned (including dolostone) at 5-7 on the Mohs scale. 

That’s it for varieties, but what is the meaning of dolomite stone? 

Dolomite Gemstone Meaning & History

Dolomite symbolizes comfort, centeredness, and emotional nourishment. It carries Dolomite Alps folklore, specifically legends of the local Ladins. The most significant Ladinian tale is the national epic about the matriarchal “Kingdom of the Fanes.” 

In a nutshell, the legend tells of the first Ladins, a matrilineal society of people called the Fanes. They thrived for generations under the queen’s rule. 

Their downfall came when the new king started waging war for greed and betrayed his people for access to Aurona, a “land of plenty.” 

The king became stone and the remaining Fanes retreated inside the mountains. It’s said their kingdom will be reborn once silver trumpets sound. 

History

The name of the dolomite mineral, rock, and mountain range all honor French mineralogist Déodat de Dolomieu. 

Dolomieu described dolomite rock (dolostone) in 1791 after finding it in the Alps of Tyrol (present-day Dolomite Alps). Swiss chemist Nicolas-Théodore de Saussure chose the name in 1792.

However, Saussure also confirmed Dolomieu was not the first to describe dolomite. Rather, the first description came from Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1768, who called it marmor tardum, or “slow marble.” 

Yet another description came in 1778 from Austrian naturalist Belsazar Hacquet, who called the stone lapis suillus, or “stink stone.” 

Fortunately, there wasn’t any animosity among the men. When Dolomieu met with Hacquet in Slovenia in 1784, Hacquet made it clear that Linnaeus’s description came before his own. Hacquet even specified this in volume 2 of his book published in 1781.

In the 20th century, geologists proposed “dolostone” as an alternative name for dolomite rock to differentiate it from the mineral. Because “dolomite” first applied to the rock, however, many geologists didn’t agree on the change. In fact, the American Geological Institute called the dolostone name “obsolete” in their 2017 glossary. 

Moving from history to healing, what is dolomite stone good for? 

Dolomite Crystal Healing Properties

Both dolomite and dolostone can function as powerful healing stones with similar abilities. 

Pink dolomite healing properties match those of other pink gemstones in promoting love, acceptance, and forgiveness. Unsurprisingly, they’re also great chakra stones for the heart chakra!

Similarly, like other white crystals, white dolomites can improve concentration, increase spirituality, and detoxify the body. 

For more specific physical and emotional ailments, how do you use dolomite stone?  

Physical Healing

Crystal healers use dolomite for:

• Strengthening bones

• Increasing blood oxygenation

• Easing premenstrual syndrome

• Improving stamina

Emotional Healing

Emotional dolomite stone benefits are said to include dispelling negative thoughts, balancing chaotic emotions, and encouraging spiritual connection. 

Cobaltoan dolomite is also popular for navigating deep emotional wounds, helping you handle the discomfort of working through them, then find your own strength to go forward.

Beyond spiritual uses, is dolomite valuable? You bet! We’ll cover its value factors next. 

Dolomite Gemstone Properties

Because dolomite is less common for jewelry, grading its value isn’t as standard as other gems. However, the categories are similar: color, cut, transparency, carat weight, and treatments. 

Color

Dolomite color in crystal form is usually a pale shade of gray, white, yellowish-brown, pink, or blue. Masses tend to be white, gray, or tan. 

Color patterns in dolostone result from their layered structure of different minerals and impurities. Over time, ferrous iron and weathering cause most dolostones to become matte yellowish-brown.

Cut

Perfect cleavage and variable softness makes cutting dolomite difficult. Still, some skilled gem cutters create beautiful faceted dolomites. 

Typically, dolomite crystals are sold in their raw form. Pink kutnohorite clusters can form fascinating tapered shapes resembling rounded feather dusters. Ankerite and massive dolomite are occasionally faceted or cut as cabochons. 

Dolomite masses and dolostones are more durable, perfect for carvings, beads, and cabochons. These are slightly more valuable than dolomite crystals.

Transparency

Crystal or massive material showing good transparency or interesting inclusions can carry high value.

Carat Weight

Raw crystal clusters can be large and dolomite masses can lend huge carvings. Locality can play a role in size — faceted New Mexico dolomites have only gotten to 5 cts, while faceted dolomite stones from Spain have surpassed 100 cts. 

Treatments & Simulants

Like howlite, dolomite may be dyed to simulate turquoise or lapis lazuli. Dyed dolomitic marble may be sold as imitation jade, dubbed “Mountain Jade.” 

Dolomite Formation & Sources

Varied theories surround dolomite’s formation, but the most-discussed process is dolomitization. 

Dolomitization starts with calcite, another calcium carbonate. When seawater or saltwater evaporates, commonly in coastal salt flats, magnesium separates. This magnesium replaces calcite’s calcium, transforming it into dolomite.

Miners find most dolomites in metamorphic rocks, geodes, dolomitic marble, and talc rocks. 

Where can dolomite be found?

Mining Locations

Dolomites are abundant worldwide. Spain is renowned for high-quality, transparent crystals and clusters. Colombia is the only known source of light blue dolomites.

More primary sources include:

• Brazil

• Canada

• China

• Czechia (cobaltoan, kutnohorite)

• DR of Congo (cobaltoan)

• Italy (kutnohorite)

• Japan (kutnohorite)

• Mexico (wave dolomite)

• Morocco (cobaltoan)

• Namibia (cobaltoan, cuprian)

• South Africa (kutnohorite)

• Switzerland

• Tasmania (ankerite)

• USA - Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico (transparent), New Jersey (kutnohorite), Oklahoma

Now, is dolomite expensive? Nope, it’s affordable!

Dolomite Price & Value

Dolostones are slightly more expensive than dolomites because they’re more durable.

Wave dolostone cabochons, often labeled “dolomite jasper,” range from $0.10-$2.50 per carat. Carvings are $0.02-$0.40 per carat. 

How much is dolomite worth? Dolomite cabochons are around $0.04 per carat at wholesale. Rough dolomite or ankerite specimens cost $0.02-$0.30 per carat.  

Dolomite pendants or rings cost $3-$4, though added materials can mean prices around $30-$70. Faceted dolomite gemstones go for $20-$30 per carat. 

Dolomite Care and Maintenance

The first gemstone care step is choosing a low-vulnerability option. Because dolomite is prone to damage, pendants or earrings are safest. We recommend protective settings for rings.

Store dolomite in a fabric pouch separate from other gems. To clean it, simply mix warm water and mild soap, dip a soft brush in the mixture, and gently scrub the stone. Dry it with a microfiber cloth after. Avoid strong chemicals or high heat.

Delight in the Landscape of Dolomite! 

Both dolomite and dolostone are beautiful gifts of nature. Wearing or carrying dolomite brings the pleasures and centeredness of being in the Dolomite Alps… without the airfare! 

Want a delightful, earthy stone? Buy dolomite gemstones today!

Dolomite Minerals