Wollastonite Gemstone: Properties, Meanings, Value & More

Wollastonite is a white, lesser-known mineral best known for its many industrial uses.

How common is wollastonite? Pretty common! Despite its abundance, many consider wollastonite an obscure curiosity in the gemstone world.

While its aesthetic appeal is seemingly ordinary, wollastonite’s intrigue mainly comes from its unique crystal sprays and bright fluorescence.

There’s much to appreciate about this versatile and overlooked mineral. So what is wollastonite used for, and where can you find it?

Come along as we dig into wollastonite’s properties, origins, uses, and more in our Wollastonite Gemstone Guide.

About Wollastonite Stone

Wollastonite was named after English chemist and renowned mineralogist W.H. Wollaston.

What is another name for wollastonite? Unlike other gems with rosters of pseudonyms, wollastonite isn’t known by any other monikers. However, some people refer to it as “calcium silicate.”

The mineral is mostly known for its industrial applications but has some symbolic significance among crystal enthusiasts.

While it’s not a zodiac stone in the traditional sense, some wollastonite (like garnet in wollastonite) may support the Taurus and Virgo signs in astrology.

So, how do you identify wollastonite? Its mineral properties can provide some insight.

Wollastonite Specifications & Characteristics

Wollastonite is the most common of the three forms of calcium silicates — a mineral group consisting of wollastonite, xonotlite, and tilleyite.

Its crystals are interesting to study and collect because of the various forms and colors they take on — distinguished by the mineral’s composition and geological setting.

Adding to its appeal, wollastonite is also birefringent, meaning light rays split and refract beautifully within its crystals.

It’s not unusual for people to mistake wollastonite for asbestos because of their similar fibrous shape and chemical composition. Their similarities have raised concerns over potential health risks associated with wollastonite, particularly its fibrous form.

But does wollastonite contain asbestos?

Unlike asbestos, wollastonite fibers are generally straight or slightly curved, and they’re not as easily inhaled or retained in the lungs. As a result, wollastonite isn’t a dangerous carcinogen like toxic asbestos.

Here’s an overview of wollastonite’s mineral traits:

Chemical formula: Ca3(Si3O9)

Composition: Calcium - silicon-oxygen

Mohs hardness: 4.5 to 5

Color: White, grayish-white, pale green, pink, brown, red, yellow

Crystal structure: Triclinic

Luster: Vitreous to pearly; silky if fibrous

Transparency: Transparent to translucent

Refractive index: 1.62 to 1.65

Density: 2.86 to 3.09

Cleavage: Perfect

Fracture: Irregular/Uneven

Tenacity: Brittle

Streak: White

Luminescence: Fluorescent (Yellowish-white to yellow in LW-UV; Orangey-yellow to orange in SW- and MW-UV)

From ancient civilizations to modern industry, let’s explore wollastonite’s history and uses.

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Wollastonite History

While Wollaston discovered some minerals (like rhodium and palladium), he didn’t find wollastonite. Mineralogist J. Léman named the mineral to honor Wollaston’s prominent contributions within the mineralogy field.

As for who discovered it — wollastonite has been known and used for thousands of years. Interestingly, there’s no one person credited with its discovery.

That said, most sources agree that modern geologists and mineralogists officially recognized wollastonite as a distinct mineral species sometime in the early 19th century.

As far as wollastonite’s commercial production, it’s been fairly limited from the 1930s to the 1950s. The mineral was used as mainly as decorative material until the late 1970s. About a decade later, wollastonite started to be widely used as a safer alternative to asbestos.

Today, what are the economic uses of wollastonite?

Wollastonite Industrial Uses

Wollastonite is still used in a range of industrial applications, including:

• Raw material or additive in ceramics

• Filler and extender in paint and coating formulations

• Reinforcement material in plastics productions

• Construction materials

• Steelmaking and cast-iron production

• Environmental and livestock applications

Considering its many industrial uses, is wollastonite biodegradable? As an inorganic mineral, wollastonite isn’t biodegradable in the conventional sense. However, it has a unique ability to chemically react with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, resulting in the formation of calcium carbonate — which is biodegradable.

In other words, wollastonite-containing materials can potentially reduce environmental impact by converting non-biodegradable materials into biodegradable ones over time.

Does wollastonite dissolve in water? As a silicate with strong ionic bonds, wollastonite is highly insoluble and water-resistant.

Rarely, wollastonite can react slowly if exposed to water containing dissolved ions (such as calcium, sodium, or potassium). Therefore, resulting in the formation of secondary minerals, like zeolites or clay.

Does that mean that wollastonite is clay? Nope — while it’s often an additive in ceramic productions and sometimes has a clay-like appearance, wollastonite isn’t a type of clay.

What about wollastonite’s metaphysical uses?

Wollastonite Healing Properties

Although not commonly used as healing stones, wollastonite contains some elements that may have soothing properties

Physical Healing

Wollastonite is known to have many bioactive healing benefits.

Some traditional medicine contains wollastonite to help treat various ailments, including bone health, digestive issues, respiratory conditions, and tissue regeneration.

Emotional Healing

Emotionally, wollastonite is thought to embody grounding energy — keeping you emotionally balanced, enhancing creativity, and promoting confidence.

Many crystal healers say wollastonite is also helpful in your pursuit of success and goal attainment. This is because it’s said to encourage service to others.

Chakra Healing

Some crystal healers use wollastonite as a chakra stone for balancing the crown (or Sahasrara) chakra.

Located at the base of your head, wollastonites energy may stimulate psychic gifts of clairaudience and precognition.

How much is wollastonite worth? That depends on how it’s graded.

Image credit: James St. John, Flickr

Wollastonite Gemstone Properties

Experts grade gems to determine their worth, quality, and rarity. These appraisers assess each stone based on color, cut, clarity, and carat weight.

Wollastonite, however, isn’t typically considered a gemstone, so it doesn’t undergo grading in the same way that precious and semi-precious gemstones do.

That said, some wollastonite stones exhibit attractive colors and patterns prized for ornamental purposes. As such, experts will evaluate them based on these aesthetic qualities.

Color

Wollastonite is commonly white. Rarely, you can find it occurring in gray, cream, brown, green, or pink. These rare, vivid hues can garner higher prices compared to duller whites, browns, and grays.

Its color variations result from wollastonite’s impurities (like iron or magnesium), grain size, and natural radiation.

Cut

Because wollastonite stones are opaque and don’t exhibit strong optical properties (like brilliance or fire), they’re primarily cut in cabochon form.

Faceted wollastonite is less common. In fact, very few have been reported, but you can find some on occasion. Their scarcity, however, does garner them higher prices.

You'll most commonly find wollastonite sold in its natural, uncut form. This is because these stones are generally less expensive.

Clarity

The most common inclusions in wollastonite are black or brownish iron oxide and manganese oxide minerals, which can create a spider web-like pattern or speckled appearance.

Some collectors are fans of interesting, well-placed inclusions, but the general consensus is that gems with high clarity and minimal inclusions command a higher value.

Carat Weight & Size

Since wollastonite is mainly used industrially, it isn’t typically graded according to carat weight or size.

Wollastonite stones are relatively small, with most cabochons under 10 carats. Most experts agree that larger sizes are scarcer and more valuable.

Geologically, where is wollastonite most commonly found?

Image credit: Piotr Sosnowski | GNU Free Documentation License

Wollastonite Formation & Sources

Wollastonite is a white, glassy silicate mineral often appearing as masses or tabular crystals alongside other calcium-containing silicates in metamorphosed limestones.

It forms through the reaction of calcium carbonate with silicon dioxide during metamorphism and occasionally crystallizes directly from carbon-rich magma.

As far as mining destinations, what locations have wollastonite?

Mining Locations

China is currently the largest producer of wollastonite in the world, accounting for 60-70% of global production.

Other significant producers include India, Mexico, and the United States (NY).

Switching gears, how much does this obscure stone go for?

Wollastonite Price & Value

Since wollastonite isn’t commonly used in jewelry and isn’t typically valued in carat weight, there isn’t really any standard pricing for gems.

In general, wollastonite stones are relatively affordable.

Faceted cuts and carvings are more expensive than cabochons or rough wollastonite due to the added labor of cutting and shaping.

Industrially, how much does wollastonite cost per ton? It ranges between $330 to $360 per metric ton.

Ready to go over how to care for your gemstones?

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Wollastonite Care and Maintenance

Wollastonite is a relatively soft stone with a Mohs hardness of 4.5 to 5.5, so you should always treat your specimens carefully.

Clean your wollastonite by soaking it in lukewarm, soapy water and gently scrubbing away dirt with a soft-bristled brush. Then, dry it with a gentle cloth and tuck it away in a soft pouch for safekeeping.

To avoid damage, keep your wollastonite gems away from:

• Harder gems and materials

• Harsh chemicals and detergents

• Ultrasonic and steam cleaners

• Extreme or sudden temperature changes

Uncover the Mystery of Wollastonite!

Wollastonite is truly a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.

Its unique properties make it a valuable resource for many industries. But its underappreciated beauty and obscure history make wollastonite a rare and exquisite mineral to complete your crystal repertoire.

Ready to discover what secrets wollastonite will unveil for you?

Buy wollastonite gemstones today!