How much does Diaspore cost?

Diaspore is an aluminum oxyhydroxide that forms during the metamorphism of aluminum-rich rocks, particularly bauxite (the ore of aluminum) and emery deposits. Most diaspore is opaque and unremarkable, but a unique deposit in Turkey's Ilbir Mountains produces transparent, gem-quality crystals.

The Turkish gem diaspore is remarkable for its alexandrite-like color change: champagne or kiwi green in daylight shifts to pinkish-red under incandescent light. This effect comes from trace amounts of manganese that absorb different wavelengths depending on the light source's spectral composition.

The gem material has been marketed under trade names including 'Zultanite' (trademarked by one mining company), 'Csarite' (another trade name), and simply 'color-change diaspore.' All refer to the same material from the same Turkish deposit. The mine is small and production is limited, making this genuinely rare gem material.

Identification Guide

Gem diaspore is identified by its color-change effect (green/champagne to pink/red), hardness 7, orthorhombic crystal system, and high specific gravity (3.30-3.50). The color change under different light sources is the most dramatic identifier.

Distinguish from alexandrite (much higher RI, different SG), color-change garnet (isometric), and color-change sapphire (trigonal, higher RI). Diaspore has a perfect cleavage in one direction, which can be visible in faceted stones.

Spotting Fakes

Synthetic color-change corundum (alexandrite simulant) is sometimes sold as diaspore/Zultanite. Genuine diaspore has specific RI (1.702-1.750) and SG (3.30-3.50) ranges that differ from corundum. Lab reports from GIA or similar labs can confirm identity. The color change in genuine diaspore is typically more subtle than in alexandrite, shifting between champagne/green and pink rather than dramatic green-to-red.

Some links in this post go to Amazon. Crystal Almanac earns a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Tools recommended here are ones we would use ourselves to run the tests described - the recommendation comes first, the link is downstream of it.

Verify Diaspore Before You Buy

Affiliate picks

Diaspore gets imitated with glass, dyed stand-ins, and cheaper lookalikes. These four tools run the checks in the Spotting Fakes section above, so you can tell real from fake before you pay - online, at a show, or in a shop.

10x triplet jeweler's loupe$20-40
The first tool worth owning. Round gas bubbles (glass), dye pooled in cracks (dyed howlite, magnesite, agate), and flow lines are invisible to the naked eye and obvious at 10x. A triplet lens keeps the edges sharp.
Shop on Amazon
Mohs hardness pick set~$40
Calibrated picks settle the cheap swaps in seconds - howlite (3.5) sold as turquoise (5-6), glass (5.5) sold as quartz (7). Faster and more accurate than the fingernail-and-knife method.
Shop on Amazon
0.01g digital pocket scale~$15
Density catches what the eye misses. A glass 'quartz' weighs suspiciously light; lead-loaded plastic 'lapis' weighs suspiciously heavy. Weigh, compare to the known density, and flag the mismatch before the money leaves your hand.
Shop on Amazon
365nm UV flashlight$20-30
Many stones have a distinctive fluorescence (hyalite opal, fluorite, ruby, scheelite). A longwave UV light is the fastest tiebreaker when a piece passes the other tests but still looks off.
Shop on Amazon

Cultural & Metaphysical Traditions

Presented as cultural traditions, not scientific evidence

Diaspore is a relatively recent addition to crystal healing traditions, having only entered the gem market in the 2000s. Practitioners associate its color-change ability with adaptability, seeing situations from multiple perspectives, and finding beauty in transitions. The Turkish origin adds associations with the crossroads between East and West.

Metaphysical and “healing” associations are cultural traditions, not medical advice or scientific fact. Crystals are not a substitute for professional medical care.

ChakraSolar Plexus ChakraHeart ChakraCrown ZodiacGemini ZodiacLibra ElementAir ElementLight

Where It's Found

Turkey - Ilbir Mountains, Antalya

Only significant gem source, marketed as 'Zultanite' and 'Csarite'

Russia - Ural Mountains

Small crystals, collector specimens

United States - Chester, Massachusetts

Type locality, non-gem material

Price Guide

Entry$30-100/ct small stones

Mid-Range$100-500/ct fine color-change

Collector$500-2,000+/ct exceptional large gems

Good to Know

💎

Scratch test: At hardness 7, Diaspore can scratch glass and steel. It's durable enough for any type of jewelry.

🌍

Global supply: Found in 3 notable locations worldwide, from Turkey to United States.

⚖️

Heft test: Diaspore has average mineral density (3.30-3.50). It feels about as heavy as you'd expect from a stone its size.

Care & Safety

What diaspore can and cannot tolerate, based on its hardness (Mohs 7) and chemistry (AlO(OH)).

Can Diaspore go in water?

Yes. Diaspore is hard (Mohs 7) and chemically stable, so plain water is fine for rinsing and cleaning with mild soap. Avoid prolonged soaking, which serves no purpose, and dry the stone afterward.

Can Diaspore go in salt water?

Not recommended, even though diaspore itself is hard and not water-soluble. Salt is corrosive and mildly abrasive: it can dull a polished surface, attack metal settings, and crystallize inside small fractures as the stone dries. A brief dip will not destroy diaspore, but rinse it with fresh water afterward and dry it. For routine cleaning, plain water is the safer choice.

Water safety for every stone →Full crystal care guide →