Painite

Painite is a very rare borate mineral, first discovered in Myanmar by British mineralogist Arthur C.D. Pain in the 1950s. It’s known for its reddish-brown or orange-brown color and high brilliance, making it popular for jewellery. With a hardness of 8 and an average density of 4.01 g/cm³, it’s both durable and dense. Painite was once considered the rarest gemstone in the world with only a few known specimens.

 Uses 
Painite is primarily sought after for its use in jewellery due to its rarity and aesthetic qualities. It’s also valued as a collector’s gemstone for its captivating appearance and limited availability.

 Genuity 
To identify genuine Painite, look for these characteristics:

 Color: Reddish-brown hue, sometimes with hints of purple.
 Luster: Vitreous to sub-adamantine.
 Crystal Shape: Hexagonal crystals.
 Streak: White streak when scratched against a surface.
 Hardness: Can scratch glass, indicating a Mohs hardness of 8-8.5.
 Birefringence: Exhibits weak birefringence (double refraction).
 Specific Gravity: Ranges from 4.00 to 4.03.

It should also be free from visible flaws and show no magnetic response. When exposed to short-wave ultraviolet light, Painite may fluoresce green.

 Rarity 
Painite is one of the rarest gemstones in the world. Initially, only a few specimens were known to exist, making it extremely rare. The Guinness World Records once listed Painite as the world’s rarest mineral. Even now, only a few hundred Painite crystals have ever been found, primarily in Myanmar.

 Value 
Painite is incredibly valuable due to its rarity. Prices can range significantly, with lower quality Painite starting around $100 to $1,000 per carat and the finest quality reaching $50,000 to $60,000 per carat. Its value is influenced by factors such as color, cut, clarity, and carat weight. Painite is not commonly used in jewellery due to its rarity and value.

 Famous painite specimens 
Some famous Painite specimens include:

 The largest known Painite specimen, weighing over 50 carats, is housed in the Natural History Museum in London.
 Painite has been featured in high-end jewelry pieces, such as engagement rings and pendants.

Due to its rarity, most Painite specimens are preserved in private collections or museums rather than being used in jewelry.

 References 

Category:Borate minerals
Category:Gemstones