Euclase is popular because of its beauty and rarity. Few other pegmatite minerals have as rich of a blue color. Its hardness makes it so it is sometimes used in gems, though these are rare due to the strong, perfect cleavage of Euclase. These gems are very expensive and treasured by collectors though. Even colorless Euclase is in demand because of its pleasant luster which is similar to “silver” topaz from Namibia. A recent find (2007) of colorless euhedral Euclase crystals on matrix from the Piaotang Mine in Jiangxi Province, China is an example of this. Euclase is a special treat of a mineral when it forms nice crystals – less than 15 localities worldwide are well known for producing fine Euclase. No localities in North America produce crystals with the deep blue color the mineral Euclase is famous for. It has been quite some time since a find of Euclase with good saturation of blue color has been found at any location.
Euclase cut stones are always in demand to gem collectors because of the difficulty it takes to cut a Euclase gem. If too much pressure is applied to the stone perpendicular to the c-axis of the crystal, it will cleave. Considering the stone’s hardness of 7.5 on Moh’s hardness scale, it is a shame that it cleaves so easily otherwise it would likely be used far more abundantly in jewelry.
Euclase is an essential mineral to include in your collection if you have a love for pegmatite minerals, colored gem minerals, or blue minerals and although Euclase is a little expensive, wonderful specimens that won’t hurt the wallet can still be found with diligent searching. A good specimen of Euclase has large, well-formed crystals with minimal internal fracturing, rich, evenly saturated blue color, and little damage. Matrix specimens of Euclase are rare but far more valuable than loose crystals.
To search for a fine cut stone of Euclase, look for deep blue even color saturation, a desirable cut, and high clarity though Euclase cut stones will rarely be totally clear to the naked eye. Much like the emerald that they are sometimes associated with, stones with minimal fracturing are acceptable.