16 Types of White Gemstones: Characteristics, Benefits and Uses
Unlike the black colour gemstone, white gemstones have captivated humanity for centuries with their pristine beauty, ethereal glow, and profound symbolism. From the sophisticated sparkle of diamonds to the serene luster of pearls, these luminous treasures for different gemstone shapes represent purity, clarity, and timeless elegance.
Whether you're drawn to white gemstones for their aesthetic appeal, metaphysical properties, or investment value, this comprehensive guide explores 16 stunning varieties. Discover their unique characteristics, symbolic meanings, and the enchanting qualities that make each one into the rarest gemstone.
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GEMSTONE SPOTLIGHT Discover the beauty of the ultimate crystal gemstone: clear quartz crystal. Clear quartz comes in a remarkable array of forms, sizes and natural variations, from pristine transparent points to stunning clear quartz cluster formations, raw specimens and polished stones with brilliant clarity. Have your pick from our extensive collection of clear quartz crystal, including elegant clear quartz jewelry such as necklaces, modern earring designs, bracelets, rings, and captivating clear quartz cluster pieces perfect for display or healing practices. |
1. White Quartz (Clear Quartz/Milky Quartz)
Characteristics
White quartz encompasses both clear quartz (rock crystal) and milky quartz varieties. Clear quartz is perfectly transparent, while milky quartz has a cloudy, opaque appearance due to microscopic fluid inclusions. Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth and has been used in jewelry and spiritual practices for thousands of years. It features a vitreous luster and can form impressive crystal clusters.
Colors
Clear and colorless to milky white and opaque. Varieties include snow quartz, which appears bright white.
Mohs Hardness Score
7
Benefits and Uses
Quartz is widely used in jewelry, crystal healing, meditation, and home décor. Clear quartz is called the "master healer" in crystal therapy and is believed to amplify energy and thought. It symbolizes clarity, purity, and harmony.
2. White Sapphire
Characteristics
White sapphire is the colorless variety of corundum, the same mineral family that produces blue sapphires and rubies. These gemstones possess exceptional clarity and a brilliant luster, though they lack the fire and dispersion of diamonds. White sapphires are highly durable and resistant to scratching, making them practical for everyday wear. They form in metamorphic and igneous rocks and are found primarily in Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and Myanmar.
Colors
Completely colorless to slightly milky white. The most valuable specimens are perfectly transparent with no visible inclusions.
Mohs Hardness Score
Mohs Hardness Score of 9
Benefits and Uses
White sapphires serve as an affordable alternative to diamonds in engagement rings and fine jewelry. They symbolize wisdom, purity, and spiritual enlightenment. In metaphysical practices, white sapphires are believed to enhance mental clarity and focus.
3. White Topaz
Characteristics
White topaz represents the purest form of topaz, free from the trace elements that create colored varieties. This brilliant gemstone displays excellent clarity and a vitreous luster that rivals more expensive stones. White topaz is relatively abundant and highly affordable, making it accessible to jewelry enthusiasts at every budget level. It forms in igneous rocks, particularly granite, and in hydrothermal veins.
Colors
Colorless to slightly translucent white. The finest specimens are crystal clear with exceptional transparency.
Mohs Hardness Score
8
Benefits and Uses
White topaz is a popular diamond alternative in jewelry, particularly for everyday pieces. It symbolizes truth, forgiveness, and clarity. In crystal healing, white topaz is associated with manifestation and bringing ideas into reality.
4. White Zircon
Characteristics
White zircon is a natural gemstone with exceptional brilliance and fire that rivals diamond. Not to be confused with cubic zirconia (a synthetic material), natural zircon is one of the oldest minerals on Earth, with some crystals dating back over 4 billion years. Zircon displays strong double refraction, creating a distinctive sparkle. It forms in igneous rocks and is found in Cambodia, Sri Lanka, and Australia.
Colors
Colorless to pure white with extraordinary brilliance. Heat treatment can enhance the colorless appearance of naturally colored zircons.
Mohs Hardness Score
6.5 – 7.5
Benefits and Uses
White zircon serves as an excellent diamond substitute in jewelry. It symbolizes purity, clarity, and honor. Historically, zircon was believed to bring prosperity and wisdom to its wearer.
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FUN FACT: Zircon's name comes from the Persian word "zargun," meaning "gold-colored," even though it appears in many colors, including white. |
5. White Opal
Characteristics
White opal, also called "milky opal," displays a mesmerizing play-of-color against a pale or white background. This phenomenon, known as opalescence, results from the diffraction of light through microscopic silica spheres within the stone. White opals have a delicate, ethereal appearance that sets them apart from other gemstones. They form in sedimentary rocks and are predominantly found in Australia, which produces 95% of the world's opals.
Colors
Milky white to cream base with flashes of rainbow colors including blue, green, red, and purple.
Mohs Hardness Score
5.5 – 6.5
Benefits and Uses
White opals are popular in bohemian and artistic jewelry designs. They symbolize hope, purity, and innocence. In metaphysical traditions, opals are believed to enhance creativity and emotional expression.
6. Water Pearl (Pearl)
Characteristics
Pearls are the only gemstones created by living organisms. They form when an irritant enters a mollusk, which then secretes layers of nacre (mother-of-pearl) around it. Freshwater pearls are cultivated in mussels in rivers and lakes, while saltwater pearls form in oysters. White pearls are the most classic and timeless, featuring a lustrous surface that reflects light beautifully. Their unique glow, called "orient," comes from the multiple layers of translucent nacre.
Colors
White with various overtones including rose, silver, cream, and champagne. The finest pearls display a pure white body color with rosy overtones.
Mohs Hardness Score
2.5 – 4.5
Benefits and Uses
Pearls are synonymous with elegance and sophistication in jewelry, especially in bridal wear and formal occasions. They symbolize purity, innocence, and new beginnings. In traditional medicine, pearls were believed to have calming properties.
| GEM SPOTLIGHT: White pearls are the traditional gift for 30th wedding anniversaries and are considered June's primary birthstone. |
7. Goshenite (White Beryl)
Characteristics
Goshenite is the colorless variety of beryl, the same mineral family that includes emerald and aquamarine. Named after Goshen, Massachusetts, where it was first discovered, this gemstone displays exceptional clarity and brilliance. Goshenite's pure composition lacks the trace elements that color other beryls, resulting in its crystal-clear appearance. It forms in pegmatites and hydrothermal veins.
Colors
Completely colorless to slightly whitish. The finest specimens are as clear as water with no visible inclusions.
Mohs Hardness Score
7.5 – 8
Benefits and Uses
Goshenite is used in fine jewelry and as a diamond substitute. It symbolizes truth, clarity of thought, and spiritual purity. In metaphysical practices, goshenite is believed to enhance insight and clear thinking.
8. Diamond
Characteristics
Diamond is the hardest natural substance on Earth, composed of pure carbon crystallized under extreme pressure and heat. Renowned for its exceptional brilliance and fire, diamonds exhibit unparalleled light dispersion. These precious gems form deep within the Earth's mantle and are brought to the surface through volcanic eruptions. White or colorless diamonds are the most prized for their purity and classic appeal, making them the ultimate symbol of eternal love and commitment.
Colors
Colorless (D-grade), near-colorless, with occasional faint yellow or brown tints in lower grades. The most valuable diamonds are completely colorless.
Mohs Hardness Score
10 (the hardest natural material)
Benefits and Uses
Diamond is the quintessential choice for engagement rings, wedding bands, and fine jewelry. Beyond their aesthetic value, diamonds symbolize strength, invincibility, and eternal love. They're also used in industrial applications for cutting and drilling due to their exceptional hardness.
| FUN FACT: The word "diamond" comes from the Greek "adamas," meaning "unconquerable" or "invincible." |
9. White Rainbow (Rainbow Moonstone)
Characteristics
Rainbow moonstone is actually a type of white labradorite (not true moonstone) that displays a stunning play of colors called labradorescence. This optical phenomenon creates rainbow-like flashes of blue, purple, and sometimes pink or gold when light hits the stone at certain angles. The gemstone has a semi-translucent to translucent appearance with a pearly luster. It's found primarily in India and Madagascar.
Colors
White to colorless base with brilliant blue, purple, and multicolored flashes.
Mohs Hardness Score
6 – 6.5
Benefits and Uses
Rainbow moonstone is popular in bohemian and mystical jewelry designs. It symbolizes new beginnings, intuition, and divine feminine energy. In metaphysical practices, it's associated with emotional balance and psychic abilities.
| FUN FACT: Despite its name, rainbow moonstone is scientifically a variety of labradorite, not true moonstone (which is orthoclase feldspar). |
10. White Cat's Eye (Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye)
Characteristics
Cat's eye is a phenomenal gemstone that displays chatoyancy—a narrow band of reflected light that resembles a cat's eye. This effect occurs due to parallel needle-like inclusions within the stone. White or colorless cat's eye chrysoberyl is rare and highly valued. When properly cut as a cabochon, the eye effect moves across the stone as it's rotated. These gems form in pegmatites and metamorphic rocks.
Colors
White, colorless, or very pale honey color with a distinct silvery-white eye effect.
Mohs Hardness Score
8.5
Benefits and Uses
Cat's eye gemstones are prized in fine jewelry and collector's pieces. They symbolize protection, intuition, and good fortune. In Asian cultures, cat's eye is believed to protect against evil spirits and bring prosperity.
11. White Agate
Characteristics
White agate is a microcrystalline variety of quartz with a fine-grained texture and banded or cloudy patterns. It forms in cavities of volcanic or metamorphic rocks through the gradual deposition of silica. White agate has a smooth, waxy luster and is often translucent with subtle banding or inclusions. It's one of the most widely available gemstones and has been used in jewelry and ornamental objects for millennia.
Colors
White to cream with grey, beige, or translucent bands. Some specimens are nearly pure white.
Mohs Hardness Score
7
Benefits and Uses
White agate is popular in beaded jewelry, carvings, and home décor. It symbolizes calmness, balance, and protection. In crystal healing, white agate is believed to bring emotional and physical balance.
12. Moonstone
Characteristics
True moonstone is a variety of orthoclase feldspar that displays adularescence—a soft, billowing glow that appears to float just beneath the surface. This enchanting optical effect is caused by light scattering between microscopic layers of feldspar. Moonstone has been treasured for centuries for its mysterious, lunar-like glow. It's found in Sri Lanka, India, Madagascar, and Myanmar.
Colors
Colorless to white with a blue, silver, or rainbow sheen. The finest moonstones are nearly transparent with a strong blue flash.
Mohs Hardness Score
6 – 6.5
Benefits and Uses
Moonstone is beloved in bohemian jewelry and is one of June's birthstones. It symbolizes feminine energy, intuition, and new beginnings. In metaphysical traditions, moonstone is associated with emotional healing and enhanced intuition.
| FUN FACT: Ancient Romans believed moonstone was formed from solidified moonbeams. |
13. Howlite
Characteristics
Howlite is a borate mineral with a distinctive appearance featuring grey or black veining against a white matrix. This porous stone has a matte to sub-vitreous luster and is often dyed to imitate turquoise or other gemstones. Natural howlite is always white or grey with darker veining that resembles a marble or spider web pattern. It's found primarily in California and Nova Scotia.
Colors
White to grey with characteristic dark grey to black veining.
Mohs Hardness Score
3.5
Benefits and Uses
Howlite is popular in affordable jewelry and beaded designs. It symbolizes patience, calm, and stress relief. In crystal healing, howlite is believed to aid sleep and reduce anxiety.
14. Danburite
Characteristics
Danburite is a calcium borosilicate mineral with exceptional clarity and brilliance. Named after Danbury, Connecticut, where it was first discovered, this gemstone often rivals topaz in appearance but is less well-known. Danburite has a vitreous luster and excellent transparency, with prismatic crystals that can reach impressive sizes. It forms in metamorphic and hydrothermal environments.
Colors
Colorless to white, occasionally with faint yellow or pink tints. The finest specimens are water-clear.
Mohs Hardness Score
7 – 7.5
Benefits and Uses
Danburite is used in fine jewelry as a diamond alternative. It symbolizes clarity, purity, and spiritual awakening. In metaphysical practices, danburite is highly regarded for meditation and spiritual development.
15. Rutile (Rutilated Quartz)
Characteristics
While rutile itself is typically golden, reddish, or black, white or clear quartz containing white or silver-colored rutile needles creates a unique and eye-catching gemstone. These needle-like inclusions of titanium dioxide create striking patterns within transparent quartz. Each piece is unique, with rutile needles arranged in various patterns from parallel lines to random networks. This gemstone has been called "Venus hair stone" or "Cupid's darts."
Colors
Clear to white quartz with white, silver, or golden needle-like inclusions.
Mohs Hardness Score
6 – 6.5 (quartz host)
Benefits and Uses
Rutilated quartz is prized in designer jewelry for its unique appearance. It symbolizes clarity with illumination and is believed to amplify energy and intentions. The rutile inclusions are thought to enhance the stone's metaphysical properties.
16. White Coral
Characteristics
White coral is an organic gemstone formed from the skeletal remains of marine polyps. Unlike colored corals that get their hue from carotenoid pigments, white coral is naturally pale or bleached. Coral has been used in jewelry for thousands of years and holds cultural significance in many societies. It features a matte to waxy luster and porous texture. Note that coral harvesting is now strictly regulated due to environmental concerns.
Colors
Pure white to cream, sometimes with subtle grey or beige tones.
Mohs Hardness Score
3 – 4
Benefits and Uses
White coral is used in traditional jewelry, particularly in Mediterranean and Asian cultures. It symbolizes protection, peace, and safe travel. In traditional medicine, coral was believed to have healing and protective properties.
| IMPORTANT NOTE: Always ensure coral jewelry comes from sustainable, legal sources. Many coral species are protected, and ethical alternatives are increasingly available. |
White Gemstones – FAQ
What is the most valuable white gemstone?
Diamond is the most valuable white gemstone, particularly colorless diamonds graded D on the color scale. However, other factors like clarity, cut, and carat weight significantly influence value. Rare white gemstones like colorless sapphire and goshenite can also command high prices.
Which white gemstone is best for engagement rings?
Diamonds remain the most popular choice for engagement rings due to their exceptional hardness, brilliance, and symbolism. White sapphire and moissanite serve as durable, affordable alternatives. White topaz and goshenite offer budget-friendly options, though they're softer and require more care.
What do white gemstones symbolize?
White gemstones universally symbolize purity, innocence, clarity, and new beginnings. They represent truth, spiritual awakening, and protection. In many cultures, white stones are associated with the moon, feminine energy, and emotional balance.
How do I care for white gemstones?
Care depends on the gemstone's hardness. Diamonds and sapphires can be cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Softer stones like pearls, coral, and howlite require gentle cleaning with a damp cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals, ultrasonic cleaners for porous stones, and store gemstones separately to prevent scratching.
Are white gemstones suitable for everyday wear?
Durability varies significantly. Diamonds, white sapphires, and white topaz (Mohs 8-10) are excellent for daily wear. Moonstones, opals, and pearls (Mohs 5.5-6.5) require careful handling. Very soft stones like coral and howlite (Mohs 3-4) are best reserved for occasional wear.
Final Thoughts
White gemstones offer unparalleled elegance and versatility, from the brilliant fire of diamonds to the serene luster of pearls. Whether you're drawn to their symbolic meanings, healing properties, or timeless beauty, each of these 16 gemstones brings its own unique magic.
From affordable options like white topaz and howlite to precious investments like diamonds and white sapphires, there's a white gemstone perfect for every style, budget, and occasion. Which of these luminous beauties speaks to you?
Explore the radiant world of white gemstones and discover the perfect piece to add timeless elegance to your jewelry collection. Whether celebrating a milestone, expressing your personal style, or seeking spiritual connection, white gemstones remain eternally captivating.