Weloganite Gemstone: Properties, Meanings, Value & More

Weloganite is a lesser-known collector’s gemstone found in shades of yellow to amber or white. The classic specimens come from Canada, where the mineral was first discovered.

Is weloganite rare? Yep, weloganite crystals are already rare and cut gemstones are even rarer, partly because the mineral is soft.

The mineral is also significant as the first known strontium zirconium carbonate mineral.

Today, our gemstone experts are excited to share our knowledge on this lesser-known gemstone as we uncover weloganite’s meaning, history, prices, and more!

Pictured above: Bright yellow weloganite crystal with high luster, one slightly contacted termination, and one intact termination; Carlton Davis Collection | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

About Weloganite Stone

Weloganite is a rare semi-precious gemstone discovered in the 1960s. The stone can be white, colorless, or tan but is more sought-after in yellow to amber hues.

The mineral is known for being pyroelectric (conducting electricity when heated) and sometimes triboluminescent (emitting light from mechanical contact).

Astrologically, weloganite is beneficial to those born under Aquarius.

Weloganite Specifications & Characteristics

Weloganite is a hydrated sodium strontium zirconium carbonate mineral with the formula Na2Sr3Zr(CO3)6·3H2O. Initially believed to be trigonal, it’s actually triclinic and pseudo-trigonal.

The mineral is in the mckelveyite group alongside:

• Alicewilsonite-(YCe)

• Alicewilsonite-(YLa)

• Bainbridgeite-(NdCe)

• Bainbridgeite-(YCe)

• Donnayite-(Y)

• Ewaldite

• Mckelveyite-(Nd)

• Mckelveyite-(Y)

All these minerals are hydrated carbonate minerals containing strontium, barium, and/or rare earth elements.

Back to weloganite, the crystals can be tapered and pseudo-hexagonal or barrel-shaped. The pseudo-hexagonal habit happens because of twinning on [103] repeated at 120 degrees.

The often-distinct crystal terminations can be pedion (single-faced) or pyramidal. The mineral also occurs in massive habits.

Weloganite properties listed:

• Mohs hardness: 3.5

• Color: Colorless, white, yellow, amber-yellow, amber; Sometimes color-zoned

• Crystal structure: Triclinic

• Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

• Transparency: Translucent to transparent

• Refractive index: 1.558-1.648

• Density: 3.20-3.22

• Cleavage: Perfect on pseudo {0001}

• Fracture: Conchoidal

• Streak: White

• Luminescence: Sometimes blue triboluminescence

• Pleochroism: None

• Birefringence: 0.082-0.090

• Dispersion: Weak to none

Pictured above: Miniature with 4 doubly-terminated weloganite crystals in an arborescent cluster, dating from the famous find of colorful, large weloganites around 30 years ago by Dr. Don Doell | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Weloganite History

Canadian mineralogists Ann Phyllis Sabina, John Leslie Jambor, and A.G. Plant published the first description of weloganite in 1968.

The name “weloganite” is a portmanteau honoring the first Geological Survey of Canada director Sir William Edmond Logan. They also considered “loganite,” but the IMA approved “weloganite.”

The mineralogists described the new mineral as “a new strontium zirconium carbonate” discovered near Montreal (in Quebec, Canada) in 1966.

Canadian mineralogists Robert Irwin Gait and Joel D. Grice discovered that sodium was essential to weloganite’s formula in 1971.

Additionally, the original analysis that weloganite was trigonal was disproven in 1974, when Dr. T. T. Chen and Dr. George Chao of Carleton University showed the crystal was actually triclinic.

Weloganite Healing Properties

As a popularly yellow healing stone, weloganite’s spiritual meaning matches the joyful and creativity-boosting properties of other yellow gemstones.

As such, weloganite is also a solar plexus chakra stone.

Other purported spiritual benefits of weloganite include:

• Promoting optimism

• Facilitating manifestation

• Assisting spiritual development

• Dispelling harmful thought patterns

• Boosting creative expression

Pictured above: Tapering, doubly-terminated, translucent yellow weloganite crystal | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Weloganite Gemstone Properties

Since weloganite is rarely cut into gemstones, there aren’t standard grading criteria. But we’ll still go over how the typical properties may apply to weloganite’s gemstone value:

• Color: More valuable weloganites are typically vibrant lemon yellow. Color zoning is common but may lower value.

• Cut: Given their rarity, faceted weloganites can carry steep value, especially because their perfect cleavage and low Mohs hardness makes faceting difficult. It can also be cut into cabochons, which also carry high value. Most weloganites for sale are rough (uncut).

• Clarity: Weloganite crystals with fewer visible inclusions are more valuable.

• Carat Weight / Size: Faceted weloganites are typically under 0.5 carat. Some cabochons are up to 5 carats. Rough specimens can be larger.

Before it’s cut or sold, where is weloganite found?

Weloganite Formation & Sources

Weloganite minerals are found in igneous rocks, specifically alkalic sills. Alkalic sills are horizontal igneous rock layers with more sodium and/or potassium than other igneous rocks.

In Montreal, weloganite is found in a carbonatite sill.

The mineral is associated with:

• Calcite

• Dawsonite

• Dresserite

• Quartz

• Strontianite

Mining Locations

Weloganite isn’t a widespread mineral.

Most specimens come from Canada, particularly its original discovery locale: Francon quarry.

The only non-Canadian weloganite source is in South Africa.

Pictured above: Dramatic, flaring cluster of pointy weloganite crystals | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Weloganite Price & Value

Given their rarity, faceted weloganite gemstone prices are steep: around $1650 to $1740 per carat or $80 to $200 total (as most are under 1 carat).

Weloganite cabochons are typically around $140 per carat or about $700 total.

Rough weloganite specimens vary broadly, from $20 to almost $2,800. Large, vibrant yellow, and/or distinctive crystals are usually pricier, while small white crystals are more affordable.

Weloganite Care and Maintenance

First, weloganite has a low toxicity risk due to its zirconium content, but you’ll be fine if you don’t ingest it by licking it. Store it away from children or pets, though.

For gemstone care, clean weloganite specimens carefully with mild soap, warm water, and a soft, microfiber cloth.

Store it separately from other gems to avoid scratches.

Pictured above: Superb quality yellow weloganite thumbnail from Quebec, Canada, associated with smoky quarts | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Bring Some Cheer to Your Collection with Weloganite!

Weloganite is an unusual yet beautiful, rare gemstone. Its crystal formations are stunning and if you’re lucky enough to find them, faceted weloganites are a collector’s treasure. With creativity and happiness-boosting properties added, what’s not to love?

Buy weloganite and other unusual gemstones today!