Painite

Big Photo

Myanmar
0.49 carats
© Palagems

Painite is named after Arthur Charles Davy Pain, English gem collector who first recognized the mineral.

Painite forms elongated, pseudo-orthorhombic transparent deep garnet-red crystals. Pleochroism is ruby-red and pale brownish orange or pale red-orange.

Painite was recognized as the rarest gem material on Earth, however many more stones have since been found. Many hundred stones have been faceted, but facet rough material of fine quality is still rare.

Painite Gemstones by Colour

This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
 
 
 

Painite Gemstones by Size

This table shows distribution of Painite gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:0.03 cts
Heaviest:1.12 cts
Average:0.34 cts
Total photos:18
Do you have a larger Painite? Why not upload a photo?
0.03ct to 0.14ct0.14ct to 0.25ct0.25ct to 0.36ct0.36ct to 0.47ct0.47ct to 0.58ct0.58ct to 0.68ct0.68ct to 0.79ct0.79ct to 0.90ct0.90ct to 1.01ct1.01ct to 1.12ct
General Information
Chemical Formula
CaZrBAl
 
9
O
 
18
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
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Physical Properties of Painite
Mohs Hardness7.5 to 8
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
More from other references
Specific Gravity4.00 to 4.03
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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FractureConchoidal
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Optical Properties of Painite
Refractive Index1.787 to 1.816
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Optical CharacterUniaxial/-
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Birefringence0.029
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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PleochroismStrong dichroism: yellow-brown - red to brown-violet (pinkish samples: nearly colorless - pale orangy-pink)
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Colour
Colour (General)Deep garnet-red
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
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TransparencyTransparent
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
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LustreVitreous
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Fluorescence & other light emissions
Fluorescence (General)Inert to weak red
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Fluorescence (Short Wave UV)Red or greenish
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Crystallography of Painite
Crystal SystemHexagonal
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
More from other references
HabitElongated, pseudo-orthorhombic
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
More from other references
Geological Environment
Where found:In gem gravels
Anthony et al, Handbook of Mineralogy (2001)
Inclusions in Painite
Feather-like inclusions, hexagonal tabular crystals
Further Information
Mineral information:Painite information at mindat.org
Significant Gem Localities
Myanmar
 
  • Mandalay Region
    • Pyin-Oo-Lwin District
        • Kyatpyin Central
          • Baw-lon-gyi (Big Ball)
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
        • Kyauk-Pyat-That
          • Thurein-taung
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
        • Mogok Valley
Gems, Sixth Edition, Michael O’Donoghue, 2006, p. 434
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