Dumortierite Properties, Facts and Photos

What is Dumortierite?

Dumortierite is correctly known as dumortierite quartz. This is because it's quartz, heavily included with crystals of dumortierite. 

Although the host mineral is often described as blue quartz, the colour comes from the inclusions of dumortierite. The abundance of crystal inclusions is the reason the stone is opaque.

Dumortierite typically forms fine prismatic crystals. Prismatic crystals have an elongated shape with flat parallel faces running along the length of the crystal.

Although dumortierite crystals are best known for being blue, they can also be violet, bluish-violet, brown, red, and pink.

Dumortierite is widely described as a boro-silicate mineral. Boro-silicate minerals contain the chemical elements boron and silicon. After oxygen, silicon is the most common element in Earth's crust.

Tourmaline is the most abundant borosilicate mineral, while dumortierite comes a close second. However, dumortierite remains relatively understudied.

Dumortierite is sometimes mistaken for the mineral sodalite and has also been used to imitate lapis lazuli, which is far more scarce.

Dumortierite occurs in metamorphic rocks rich in aluminium. The finest grade material, which can be exceptionally beautiful, often features a mass of long, slender crystals embedded within clear, colourless quartz.

Dumortierite crystals have a vitreous lustre, are generally quite small, and may exhibit pleochroism with colours varying from red to blue to violet.

Dumortierite was named after Eugène Dumortier but was not, as some references state, discovered by him. Dumortier was a French palaeontologist and geologist [1803 - 1873]. This newly discovered mineral was named after him in 1881 to honour his work in the region where it was found.

Since its discovery, dumortierite has been found in more than forty countries worldwide.

Dumortierite Pronunciation

Over the years, we've heard some interesting ways to pronounce the mineral dumortierite. Recently, we heard someone call it dumorcherite, which got us thinking about how it should be pronounced correctly.

With dumortierite being named after Frenchman Eugène Dumortier, we believe it should be pronounced 'dumor~ti~air~rite'. This seems logical, considering that according to the rules of French, his surname would have been pronounced dumor~ti-air. 

The suffix 'ite' is often used when minerals are named after a person or place. Examples include labradorite, unakite, mookaite and Englishite.

This suffix was first used by the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle [384 BC - 322 BC] for the mineral hematite (Greek; haematitis), which he described as "dried and condensed blood."

Many minerals' names are often mispronounced. A good example is sugilite, which is almost always pronounced with a soft g, as in 'genius', instead of with a hard g, as in 'gun'. A hard g should be used because sugilite was named after a Japanese professor named 'Sugi', pronounced with a hard g.

The pronunciation of dumortierite on Mindat, which is the world's largest mineralogical database, is probably how most people say it.

Here's the recording. Scroll down to 'Pronunciation of Dumortierite'.  

Dumortierite Healing Properties

Dumortierite enhances mental function and improves concentration. It encourages clear communication, intuition and insight.

It's beneficial for patience and slowing down aggravated and irritable energies. It can also be used to calm excitable behaviour and stubbornness.

Dumortierite stimulates communication between the body's various systems and can help with the expression of spiritual ideas and the comprehension of hidden meanings.

It helps to resolve opposing points of view and, when placed on the throat chakra, encourages open communication and the desire to share advice.

Dumortierite facilitates effective problem-solving and the ability to think 'outside of the box.'

It encourages calmness and understanding, especially when dealing with difficult situations. Its soothing energy helps reduce stress, anxiety and tension.

This calming influence can be particularly beneficial during emotional turmoil or when seeking relief from overwhelming thoughts.

Holding or wearing dumortierite is said to promote a sense of tranquility and inner peace. It allows the mind to relax and find a state of equilibrium.

Dumortierite promotes cellular regeneration and supports natural healing processes.

It can be used to promote spiritual growth and can serve as a valuable ally. Dumortierite is considered to be a stone of self-discipline and self-mastery. It assists in developing a strong sense of willpower and determination.

Its energy fosters a deeper connection with one's inner self, encouraging personal growth and the release of negative patterns of behaviour.

Using dumortierite for meditation can facilitate a deeper state of relaxation and inner exploration.

Stones in a living or workspace can create a harmonious and peaceful environment.

Article Pictures

The first photograph in our article is dumortierite in pyrophyllite. It's housed in London's Natural History Museum and comes from Namibia in southwest Africa. Photo by Stone Mania.

The second photo is of terminated quartz crystals with inclusions of dumortierite. Photo courtesy of Stan Celestian.

The dumortierite in the next photo is housed in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, Washington D.C.  Photo by Stone Mania.

The dumortierite in quartz tumbled stones in the final photo are part of our collection. 

Most photos are clickable and redirect to the original image.

Pop-up image: Sugilite - courtesy of Géry Parent.