How much does Piemontite cost?

Piemontite is the manganese-bearing variety of epidote, where manganese (Mn³⁺) substitutes for aluminum and iron in the crystal structure to produce a distinctive deep red to reddish-brown color. It forms during regional metamorphism of manganese-rich sedimentary rocks, particularly in the greenschist to amphibolite facies.

The mineral was first described from the Piedmont (Piemonte) region of northwestern Italy, giving it its name. It occurs as prismatic crystals or massive aggregates in schists and quartzites that originally contained manganese-rich sediments.

Piemontite is not particularly rare as a mineral, but gem-quality transparent material is extremely scarce. The deep red color is among the richest of any naturally occurring silicate mineral. In thin section under a microscope, piemontite shows pleochroism from red to yellow to purple, making it one of the most visually dramatic minerals in petrography.

Identification Guide

Piemontite is identified by its deep red to reddish-brown color, epidote-group crystal habit (prismatic, often striated), and red streak. Hardness 6.5 and monoclinic crystal system match the broader epidote group.

Distinguish from common epidote (pistachio green vs. red), garnet (isometric crystal system), and thulite (pink zoisite, different color and crystal system). Piemontite's red streak and prismatic habit within metamorphic rock are diagnostic.

Spotting Fakes

Piemontite is too obscure to be commonly faked. The main issue is misidentification with other red minerals in metamorphic rocks. The red streak, epidote-type crystal habit, and metamorphic rock context help confirm identity. Some sellers may label any red inclusion in quartz or feldspar as piemontite when it could be hematite or garnet.

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Verify Piemontite Before You Buy

Affiliate picks

Piemontite 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

Piemontite is relatively unknown in mainstream crystal healing but has a small following among mineral-informed practitioners. It's associated with vitality, passion, and the courage to follow unconventional paths. Its epidote-group membership connects it to themes of growth and enhancement. Some practitioners use it for strengthening physical endurance.

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

ChakraRoot ChakraHeart ZodiacScorpio ElementEarth ElementFire

Where It's Found

Italy - Piedmont (Piemonte)

Type locality, named after the region

Japan - Various

Fine crystal specimens

Pakistan - Balochistan

Good mineral specimens

United States - Arizona, California

Some occurrences in metamorphic rocks

Price Guide

Entry$10-30 rough specimens

Mid-Range$30-100 matrix specimens

Collector$100-500 fine crystal specimens

Good to Know

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Scratch test: At hardness 6.5, Piemontite resists scratching from a knife but can be scratched by quartz. Best for pendants and earrings rather than rings.

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Global supply: Found in 4 notable locations worldwide, from Italy to United States.

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Heft test: Piemontite has average mineral density (3.45-3.52). It feels about as heavy as you'd expect from a stone its size.

Care & Safety

What piemontite can and cannot tolerate, based on its hardness (Mohs 6.5) and chemistry (Ca₂(Al,Mn³⁺,Fe³⁺)₃(SiO₄)(Si₂O₇)O(OH)).

Can Piemontite go in water?

Yes. Piemontite is not water-soluble and durable enough (Mohs 6.5), 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 Piemontite go in salt water?

Not recommended, even though piemontite 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. Piemontite's iron content also makes rust staining likely if salt residue sits on the surface. A brief dip will not destroy piemontite, 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 →