Ludlamite Gemstone: Properties, Meanings, Value & More

Ludlamite is a lesser-known collector’s gemstone mostly found in gorgeous green colors, from apple to emerald shades. It’s often associated with the similar mineral vivianite.

Despite its beautiful colors, brightness, and natural crystal habits, ludlamite remains relatively unknown because of its rarity.

How rare is ludlamite? The mineral form is already rare, but ludlamite crystals that are large and cuttable enough to become gemstones are even rare. Most facetable ludlamite material is from localities that have since shut down, making them even harder to find. Only a few places even produce large ludlamite crystals.

But ludlamite has plenty of alluring aspects, which we’ll cover in this guide as we fill you in on ludlamite’s characteristics, prices, history, benefits, and more!

Pictured above: Famous Mexican ludlamite specimen found in early 1980s; Joe Budd photo | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

About Ludlamite Stone

Ludlamite (pronounced LUHD-luh-myte) is a very rare semi-precious gemstone named after an English mineralogist. The stone is usually found in green colors, ranging from pale to bright to deep emerald shades. Astrologically, ludlamite is beneficial for Scorpios.

The only moniker for ludlamite is lehnerite, a stone thought to be new but later revealed as identical to ludlamite.

Often, ludlamite is mixed up with vivianite. Both are hydrated iron phosphates found in similar locations. Plus, vivianite can darken to resemble green ludlamites.

Some distinguishing differences between ludlamite vs vivianite are:

Streak: Vivianite’s streak is colorless or white to bluish-white, changing to dark blue or brown over time; ludlamite has a pale greenish-white streak.

• Rarity: Both are rare, but cut vivianite gemstones are even rarer than cut ludlamites.

• Colors: Many vivianites darken to blue or blackish-blue colors; blue is rare for ludlamite.

• Pleochroism: Vivianite has intense pleochroism; ludlamite is not pleochroic.

• Refractive Index: Vivianite has a lower refractive index of 1.569-1.675.

• Density: Vivianite has a lower density of 2.64-2.68.

• Hardness: Vivianite has a lower Mohs hardness of 1.5 to 2.

Speaking of which, let’s dive deeper into ludlamite’s properties.

Ludlamite Specifications & Characteristics

As a hydrous iron phosphate, the formula for ludlamite is written as Fe3(PO4)2·4H2O or Fe2+3(PO4)2·4H2O. The latter formula is approved by the International Mineralogical Association (IMA).

Most of ludlamite’s composition is iron oxide (around 50 percent), then phosphorus pentoxide (around 30 percent).

This mineral is in the eponymous ludlamite group of hydrous iron/manganese phosphates/arsenates. It’s isostructural with the other group members: metaswitzerite, sterlinghillite, and switzerite.

Ludlamite crystals can be tabular or wedge-shaped. They often form as druzy, geodes, and aggregates or groups like crystal sprays. Additionally, the mineral can occur as granular masses.

The magnetism of ludlamite has been researched in many studies. Usually, ludlamite is diamagnetic meaning it’s repelled by external magnetic fields and forms an internal magnetic field in a 180° direction away from the external magnetic field.

The crystal becomes paramagnetic at 298°K (-268.9°C or 76.73°F) and ferromagnetic at 4.2°K (-268.9°C or -452.1°F).

Ludlamite properties listed:

• Mohs hardness: 3.5

• Color: Shades of pale, bright, and dark green; Colorless; Rarely blue

• Crystal structure: Monoclinic

• Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Pearly on {001} cleavage

• Transparency: Translucent to transparent

• Refractive index: 1.650-1.697

• Density: 3.12-3.19

• Cleavage: Perfect on {001}, Indistinct/poor on {100}

• Fracture: Conchoidal

• Streak: Pale greenish-white

• Luminescence: None

• Pleochroism: None

• Birefringence: 0.038-0.044

• Dispersion: Relatively weak

Pictured above: Superb thumbnail of mounded ludlamite cluster with intergrown, gemmy, olive-green crystals; Dick Jones Collection | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Ludlamite Meaning & History

Looking at ludlamite’s metaphysical properties, this crystal symbolizes inspiration, spirituality, and positivity.

The stone’s green coloring also represents personal growth, new beginnings, and renewed hope, especially after particularly dark periods in one’s life.

History

English chemist Frederick Field wrote the first description of ludlamite in 1877, based on specimens from Wheal Jane (later part of Falmouth Consolidated Mines) in Cornwall, England, UK.

The specimens studied by Field were green crystals with a rhombic outline found in copper-tin veins. They were found near quartz, sphalerite, and pyrite.

Field named the mineral “ludlamite” to honor English mineralogist and mineral collector Henry Ludlam, a friend of Field’s. Ludlam had, as Field noted, “cultivated the science of mineralogy, and possesse[d], perhaps, the finest private collection of minerals in Great Britain.”

English geologist Nevil Story Maskelyne contributed crystallographic data of ludlamite in the original description.

In 1925, Franz Müllbauer reported a “new” mineral from Bavaria. He called it “lehnerite,” but American mineralogist Harry Berman reported soon after that “lehnerite” was identical to ludlamite.

The second known source of ludlamite was in Japan, reported in 1912. The next was Colombia, reported in 1915. New Hampshire became the first known American source of ludlamite in 1947.

But perhaps the most important discovery was in 1949, when the first gem-quality, facetable ludlamite crystals were reported from Idaho, USA.

Ludlamite Healing Properties

As a primarily green healing stone, ludlamite has the properties of other green gemstones: providing rejuvenation, attracting abundance, and opening the heart chakra.

Physical Healing

Ludlamite crystals are believed to treat issues related to:

• Digestion

• Migraines / headaches

• Blood circulation

• Heart health

Emotional Healing

Emotionally, ludlamite is said to:

• Dispel negativity

• Encourage you to let go of anything or anyone holding you back

• Improve confidence

• Foster intuition

• Facilitate spiritual awareness

• Enable greater creativity

• Provide emotional balance

Pictured above: Attractive cluster of thick, gemmy ludlamite crystals from Idaho, USA | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Ludlamite Gemstone Properties

Besides its rarity, ludlamite’s value also depends on its color, cut, clarity, transparency, and carat weight. Ludlamite gems aren’t treated or created synthetically.

Color

Technically, ludlamite can be colorless, but it’s usually some shade of green. Bright greens or emerald-green hues are most desirable. Rarely, ludlamite can be blue.

Cut

Given the rarity of facetable material, not to mention the mineral’s low hardness and perfect cleavage, faceted ludlamites are exceedingly rare and valuable.

Most often, ludlamite for sale is rough (uncut). More valuable rough may be ludlamite crystal clusters, druzy, or geodes.

Clarity & Transparency

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

Ludlamite’s rarity means clarity doesn’t matter as much to its value, but higher transparency is rare and can mean higher prices, particularly in cut ludlamites.

Carat Weight & Size

Given the rarity of transparent material, it’s unsurprising that transparent, faceted ludlamites are always small, typically 1-2 carats max. Most are under 1 carat.

Attractive, distinct ludlamite crystals in large sizes are only known from a couple of places.

Pictured above: Ludlamite specimen featuring rosettes of lustrous, glassy, green crystals; Martin Zinn Collection | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Ludlamite Formation & Sources

Ludlamite often forms when existing (primary) phosphate minerals in granite pegmatites undergo hydrothermal alteration, transforming into ludlamite. It can also form when ore deposits undergo oxidation.

As such, the mineral is usually found in complex granite pegmatites and oxidation zones in ore deposits.

Commonly associated minerals include:

• Apatite

• Fairfieldite

• Phosphoferrite

• Siderite

• Triphylite

• Triplite

• Triploidite

• Vivianite

• Whitlockite

Geographically, where is ludlamite found?

Mining Locations

The best gem-quality ludlamite material comes from Idaho, USA, specifically the Blackbird Mine in Lemhi County.

Additional significant sources of attractive ludlamite crystals and masses are:

• Bolivia

• Brazil

• Canada

• England, UK

• Germany

• Mexico

• Serbia

• USA (New Hampshire, South Dakota)

Sources aside, how much does ludlamite cost?

Pictured above: Thumbnail specimen with sharp, lustrous, gemmy, deep green layered ludlamite crystal group from Bolivia | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Ludlamite Price & Value

The most expensive option for ludlamites are faceted gemstones, given their rarity.

Faceted ludlamites generally cost about $700 to $1,700 per carat or $70 to $1,500 total — remember, many of them are under 1 carat.

Most ludlamite available is rough, which varies broadly from around $20 to over $5,200.

The most expensive options are typically high-quality, large, bright green Idaho or Brazil ludlamite druzy. Green ludlamite druzy overall ranges from $45 to $5,280.

Many specimens are ludlamite with vivianite. These range from $60 to $1,200, with an average of $275 to $350.

You can find rough ludlamite and vivianite crystal pendants for around $40.

Ludlamite Care and Maintenance

Ludlamite requires careful gemstone care. Its hardness and cleavage make it susceptible to scratches and shattering from hard blows.

Any ludlamite jewelry would definitely need protective settings, especially rings, and should only be worn occasionally.

Don’t let ludlamite contact acids. Also, don’t use mechanical systems (e.g. ultrasonic, steam) to clean it. Instead, use a soft, lint-free cloth, warm water, and mild soap to clean ludlamite.

Store away from other stones to avoid scratches.

Might Be in Love with Ludlamite?

Ludlamite has a lot going for it: gorgeous green coloring, bright luster, and stunning crystal formations. Its rarity adds to that allure, making it a unique, valuable piece for any collection.

Buy ludlamite and other lovely gemstones today!