Humite Gemstone: Properties, Meanings, Value & More

Humite is a yellow to orange gemstone in the humite mineral group. Other well-known gems in this group are clinohumite and chondrodite.

Is clinohumite rare? All humite group minerals are uncommon, but gem-quality specimens are even rarer, especially humite individually.

That said, clinohumite and chondrodite gemstones can display vibrant, beautiful yellow to orange colors.

Eager to know more? You’re in luck! Today, we’ll go over all of humite’s characteristics, history, benefits, prices, and more!

Pictured above: Faceted clinohumite gemstone

About Humite Stone

Humite is a rare semi-precious gemstone sometimes called “umite.” Because “humite” also refers to a mineral group, and other members of this group are more common, we’ll specify when we’re talking about the humite group (or “humite minerals”) vs humite individually.

With a similar appearance to citrine and golden topaz, humite can substitute for either as a November birthstone — though it is rarer as a gem.

Outside of gemstone purposes, what is humite used for?

Humite Uses

Scientists have created synthetic versions of all four minerals in the humite group to study their mineralogy. These synthetic versions have been made through multiple processes — melts, hydrothermal, and solid state techniques.

Note: These synthetic versions haven’t been sold as gemstones.

Pictured above: Intergrowth of orange-red humite and reddish-purple spinel; Stated origin is Vietnam; From private collection of photographer | Image credit: Dante Alighieri, CC-BY-SA-2.0

Humite Specifications & Characteristics

As a magnesium fluorine silicate, the formula for humite is Mg7(SiO4)3F2. It’s also sometimes written as Mg(OH,F)2 · 3Mg2(SiO4). Common impurities are manganese, calcium, aluminum, and titanium. Titanium dioxide can significantly change the optical properties of humite and clinohumite.

This mineral is in the eponymous humite mineral group.

What is the humite group of minerals? Members of the humite group have the formula M2nSinO4n•M(OH,F)2 where M is usually magnesium, manganese, or calcium, and n is the number of layers (1 to 4) of olivine between layers of M(OH,F)2.

There are 4 subgroups in the humite group: chegemite, leucophoenicite, manganhumite, and humite. Humite is in the humite subgroup along with other minerals we’ll discuss in the next section.

The humite subgroup is somewhat unique in that it’s actually a polysomatic series, meaning the minerals have the same chemical layers and structures but different ratios and sequences of those layers. The structure of these minerals is similar to olivine minerals.

Here are humite’s mineral properties listed, along with the group ranges where relevant:

• Mohs hardness: Group range = 6-6.5; Humite = 6

• Color: Yellow, dark orange, brown, white

• Crystal structure: Orthorhombic (norbergite & humite); Monoclinic (clinohumite & chondrodite)

• Luster: Vitreous, sub-vitreous, or resinous

• Transparency: Translucent to transparent

• Refractive index: Group range = 1.563-1.675; Humite = 1.607-1.675

• Density: Group range = 3.15-3.35; Humite = 3.20-3.32

• Cleavage: Poor/indistinct on {100}

• Fracture: Subconchoidal or irregular/uneven

• Streak: White

• Luminescence: Sometimes weak fluorescence - pale yellow in SW-UV

• Pleochroism: Present; Yellow to colorless

• Birefringence: Group range = 0.026-0.041; Humite = 0.029-0.032

• Dispersion: Weak

As promised above, we’ll go over each humite subgroup mineral next.

Pictured above: Gemmy, translucent norbergite crystal on matrix with red spinel crystals | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Types of Humite

Besides humite, the other minerals in the humite subgroup are:

• Clinohumite: Formula Mg9(SiO4)4F2

• Chondrodite: Formula Mg5(SiO4)2F2

• Norbergite: Formula Mg3(SiO4)F2

• Hydroxylchondrodite: Formula Mg5(SiO4)2(OH)2

• Hydroxylclinohumite: Formula Mg9(SiO4)4(OH)2

As you can see, these formulas are pretty similar, so differentiating humite minerals requires advanced equipment and testing.

The most common member is chondrodite, which can contain up to almost 10 percent titanium dioxide. Some chondrodites have 11.5 percent zinc oxide and 36 percent manganese oxide.

Moving on from mineralogy, what is the meaning of humite metaphysically?

Pictured above: Well-crystallized, gemmy humite crystal perched in protected vug of matrix from Monte Somma, Italy (Type Locality for species); From American Museum of Natural History, Clarence Bement collection, donated in 1910 | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Humite Meaning & History

Humite symbolizes joy, energy, and fulfillment. Yellow humite crystals encapsulate youthful, sunny dispositions and positivity; orange humites represent creativity; red humites symbolize vitality, passion, and motivation.

History

Humite was first described in 1813 by French soldier and mineralogist Jacques-Louis, Comte de Bournon for specimens from Mount Somma in Italy.

Bournon named the mineral “humite” after Sir Abraham Hume, an English politician, connoisseur, and gem collector.

The remaining humite subgroup minerals were discovered and named later:

• Chondrodite: Named by Swedish historian Abraham Constantine Mouradgea d'Ohsson in 1817 from the Swedish grynig och körtelaktig, meaning “gritty and gland-like” or Greek chondros, meaning “grain” because it was found as small grains

• Clinohumite: Named by French mineralogist Alfred Lewis Oliver Legrand des Cloizeuax in 1876 for similarity to humite but with a monoclinic crystal system

• Norbergite: Named by Swedish geologist Per Geijer in 1926 for its discovery in Norberg, Sweden.

Back to the metaphysical side, let’s look at humite’s benefits as a healing crystal!

Pictured above: Faceted clinohumite gemstone

Humite Healing Properties

As a yellow healing stone, humite has the joyful and positivity-boosting properties of other yellow gemstones.

Physical Healing

Physically, humite is believed to treat issues related to:

• Liver

• Kidney

• Pancreas

• Digestion

• Bone strength

• Nutrient absorption

• Eye or vision problems

Emotional Healing

Emotionally, crystal healers recommend humite for decreasing or preventing stress, clearing the mind, and promoting greater self-awareness.

They also recommend humite for boosting awareness in general, be it of your surroundings, of others’ emotions, or of spiritual messages.

Chakra Healing

Chakra healing is the process of opening or balancing blocked energy centers (chakras) to restore energy flow to the entire system. Humite is a chakra stone for sacral and solar plexus chakras.

The sacral (or navel) chakra governs intimacy and creativity, where your emotions and identity come out. When it’s blocked, you might feel imbalance attachments (like avoidance or codependency), shame, or irritability.

The solar plexus chakra rules self-image, purpose, and growth. A blocked solar plexus chakra can make you feel insecure, detached, or unsure of your goals.

By aligning and opening these chakras, humite can help you gain a clearer sense of identity, awareness, and emotional balance.

Pictured above: Faceted chondrodite gemstone

Humite Gemstone Properties

Besides rarity, humite value also depends on color, cut, clarity, and carat weight.

Color

All humite gems are in the yellow to orange spectrum, sometimes brown. Many crystals are dark, so rarer, lighter or brighter coloring is desirable.

Humite specifically can be yellow, deep orange, white, or brown.

Clinohumite stones are rarely yellow-green or reddish-orange, and chondrodite can be red.

Faceted humite gemstones (usually clinohumite or chondrodite) are usually yellow to orange, with more vibrant colors having higher value.

Cut

Almost all faceted “humite” gemstones are clinohumite, which is faceted the most of any humite group minerals. Chondrodite may be faceted as well.

Humite is also sold rough (uncut).

Clarity

Clarity describes the degree of visible inclusions in a gem, which can lower its transparency and value.

Common inclusions in humites are:

• Two-phase inclusions

• Fingerprints

• Growth lines

• Needle-like inclusions

• Clear, iridescent plates

• Dark, reflective graphite platelets

The most valuable humites have few to no visible inclusions.

Carat Weight & Size

Humite specifically is rarely cut into faceted gems over 3 carats, and larger gems tend to have lower quality.

Clinohumite gemstones can be larger, though. Since the 1980s, clinohumite from Tajikistan has yielded huge, gorgeous faceted gems, some weighing over 84 carats!

Pictured above: Rough clinohumite crystal parcel

Humite Formation & Sources

Humite minerals usually form in contact metamorphic zones of limestones or dolostones. Less often, they form in igneous alkaline rocks.

External forces can cause humite minerals to transform into magnesium-rich chlorite or serpentine.

Commonly associated minerals are:

• Brucite

• Calcite

• Corundum

• Cuspidine

• Diopside

• Dolomite

• Fluoborite

• Forsterite

• Grossular

• Ludwigite

• Monticellite

• Phlogopite

• Pyrrhotite

• Serpentine

• Spinel

• Wollastonite

Where is humite found geographically?

Mining Locations

Humite minerals are found all over the world, just in small amounts and rarely as gem-quality crystals. Top sources for each variety are:

• Humite: Vietnam, Canada, Finland, South Africa, Sweden

• Clinohumite: Tajikistan, Russia, Italy, Spain, California (USA), Afghanistan, China, Tanzania, Vietnam, Siberia

• Chondrodite: New York (USA), Afghanistan, China, Tanzania, Myanmar, Vietnam

• Norbergite: Sweden, USA (New Jersey & New York)

Most gem-quality chondrodite comes from New York, USA, while most gem-quality clinohumite comes from Tajikistan.

Pictured above: Faceted clinohumite gemstone

Humite Price & Value

Individual humite stones for sale are almost always rough crystals and specimens, which are generally around $20.

Here at Gem Rock Auctions, you can find beautifully vibrant orange faceted clinohumite for prices at roughly $70 to $820 per carat or $45 to $4,500 total.

How much is chondrodite worth? Our faceted yellow chondrodite gemstones range from around $170 to $3,500 per carat or $800 to $25,000 each.

We also have facetable clinohumite rough for about $0.60 to $5 per carat.

Rough chondrodite specimens range broadly from about $10 up to $950.

Humite Care and Maintenance

Luckily, humite is pretty durable, so gemstone care is relatively easy. We still recommend protective settings for humite jewelry, particularly vulnerable types like a clinohumite ring.

Avoid using mechanical cleaning systems (e.g. ultrasonic, steam). Instead, clean humite gems with a soft toothbrush, mild soap, and warm water.

Store separately from other gems to avoid scratches.

Pictured above: Yellow faceted chondrodite gemstone

Find Hope & Happiness with Humite!

Humite gemstones are rays of sunshine both visually and metaphysically. Though rare, these vibrant sunny gems can bring positivity and optimism to your daily life!

Buy clinohumite and chondrodite gemstones today!