Hemimorphite is a favorite collector gem because it occurs in a range of spectacular colors. Some collectors seek out specimens that will cover the full range of hemimorphite’s colors.

Hemimorphite should be used cautiously in jewelry. It has a Mohs hardness of only 4 ½ to 5, so it will be quickly abraded if worn in a ring or bracelet. It is brittle and has perfect cleavage, so it will break easily upon impact.

Because hemimorphite is fragile, its use in jewelry is best limited to earrings, pins, pendants, and other pieces that are unlikely to experience impact or abrasion. When stored, hemimorphite jewelry should be placed in cushioned boxes, bags, or jewelry box compartments where two pieces of jewelry will not rub against one another.

Specimens with spectacular colors can cause excitement. The Gemological Institute of America’s lab received a translucent electric blue cabochon of 5.61 carats with a request to perform a Paraiba tourmaline origin report. The gem exhibited some properties that were consistent with Paraiba tourmaline, but testing revealed that it was hemimorphite with a Paraiba-like color.