How much does Erythrite cost?

Erythrite is a hydrated cobalt arsenate mineral (Co₃(AsO₄)₂·8H₂O), known for the crimson-pink crusts and blooms that signal cobalt ore. Erythrite forms as a secondary mineral in the oxidation zone of cobalt-arsenic ore deposits. When cobalt arsenide minerals like skutterudite and cobaltite are exposed to weathering, the released cobalt and arsenic combine with water to form erythrite's vivid pink-purple crystals.

The characteristic color is so distinctive that prospectors and miners have long used erythrite as a guide to hidden cobalt ore deposits. This prospecting use earned it the name 'cobalt bloom.' The presence of vivid pink crusts or crystal sprays on rock surfaces signals that cobalt-arsenic ores lie beneath.

Morocco's Bou Azzer district produces the world's finest erythrite crystals, which can form prismatic crystals several centimeters long with intense crimson color and vitreous luster. These are highly sought by mineral collectors.

Identification Guide

Erythrite is identified by its vivid crimson-pink to purple-pink color, very low hardness (1.5-2.5), and association with cobalt-arsenic mining environments. Crystal habit is prismatic to acicular, often in radiating sprays or earthy crusts.

Distinguish from cobaltocalcite (effervesces in acid, different crystal system), rhodochrosite (harder, different streak), and roselite (similar color, different crystal habit). The combination of vivid pink color and extreme softness in a mining context is diagnostic. SAFETY: Contains arsenic. Handle carefully.

Spotting Fakes

Erythrite is not commonly faked. The main concern is quality and integrity. Moroccan specimens are the most prized, with large, well-formed crystals on matrix commanding premium prices. Earthy, crusty erythrite is much less valuable than crystallized material. Some specimens may be washed or cleaned with chemicals that can damage delicate crystal faces. Ask about cleaning history for high-value specimens.

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Verify Erythrite Before You Buy

Affiliate picks

Erythrite 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Cultural & Metaphysical Traditions

Presented as cultural traditions, not scientific evidence

Erythrite is considered a stone of love, vitality, and harmonious relationships in crystal healing. Its vivid pink color connects it to heart-centered energy. Practitioners use it for enhancing emotional intelligence and nurturing partnerships. IMPORTANT: Contains both cobalt and arsenic. Display specimen only. Handle with care and wash hands after. Do not make gem elixirs.

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

ChakraHeart ZodiacScorpio ElementWater

Where It's Found

Morocco - Bou Azzer

World's finest crystals, vivid crimson color

DR Congo - Katanga Province

Excellent specimens from cobalt mines

Canada - Cobalt, Ontario

Historic silver-cobalt mining district

Germany - Schneeberg, Saxony

Classic European locality

Price Guide

Entry$15-50 earthy specimens

Mid-Range$50-200 crystallized specimens

Collector$200-2,000+ fine Bou Azzer crystal groups

Good to Know

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Scratch test: At hardness 2, Erythrite can be scratched with a fingernail. This is a display specimen, not a wearable stone.

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Global supply: Found in 4 notable locations worldwide, from Morocco to Germany.

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Heft test: Erythrite has average mineral density (3.06). It feels about as heavy as you'd expect from a stone its size.

Care & Safety

What erythrite can and cannot tolerate, based on its hardness (Mohs 2) and chemistry (Co₃(AsO₄)₂·8H₂O).

Can Erythrite go in water?

Not recommended. At Mohs 2, erythrite is soft enough that water can dull, etch, or degrade the surface. Clean it with a dry cloth instead. Important: erythrite contains cobalt and arsenic. Never use it for gem elixirs or crystal-infused water, and wash your hands after handling it.

Can Erythrite go in salt water?

No. Erythrite should stay away from water in general, and salt water is worse on every count: dissolved salt is corrosive while the stone is wet, and abrasive salt crystals are left behind in cracks and crevices as it dries.

Water safety for every stone →Full crystal care guide →