Pietersite Gemstone Beads
Originating from unique geological conditions, Pietersite features an aggregate of brecciated quartz and crocidolite, which gives it the distinct, fibrous appearance. The shifts in its color palette, from blues and greys to reds and golds, are due to its brecciated nature uniquely reflecting light from embedded fibers inside its matrix.
Facts: Named after Sid Pieters, who first unearthed it in Namibia in 1962, it's also sourced from China. These are the only known locations where this gemstone is found, making it a rare and prized addition to any collection. Often referred to as the 'tempest stone', its swirling patterns mirror stormy atmospheres, enhancing its mystical appeal in jewelry designs.
Metaphysical / Holistic: Pietersite is celebrated for its properties that are believed to stimulate the body's chi and enhance spiritual vision. Wearing Pietersite is said to fortify one's willpower and enhance inner guidance, ensuring you stay spiritually balanced and driven in all your creative endeavors.
Pietersite Gemstone Beads for Mystical & Creative Jewelry
Pietersite Natural 6-7mm Table Cut Cube Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$43.00
-
Original price
$43.00
Original price
$43.00
$43.00
-
$43.00
Pietersite has been called the Tempest Stone for its colors of deep blue and gray with metallic gold and flashes of brilliant chatoyancy as it catc...
View full details
Original price
$43.00
-
Original price
$43.00
Original price
$43.00
$43.00
-
$43.00
Pietersite 8x6 Table Cut Corner Drilled Cube Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$40.00
-
Original price
$40.00
Original price
$40.00
$40.00
-
$40.00
Pietersite has been called the Tempest Stone for its colors of deep blue and gray with metallic gold and flashes of brilliant chatoyancy as it catc...
View full details
Original price
$40.00
-
Original price
$40.00
Original price
$40.00
$40.00
-
$40.00
About this stone
Color
BlueGoldBrownRedMulti-Color (storm pattern)
Origin
NamibiaChina (Henan)
Mohs hardness
6.5–7
Treatment categories
Natural
Industry-standard treatment
Typically untreated. Its chatoyant 'storm' pattern comes from naturally occurring fibrous crocidolite within a quartz matrix.
Mineral chemistry
Brecciated tectonic aggregate of hawk's eye and tiger's eye fibers (crocidolite) embedded in a silica/quartz matrix
Crystal system
Trigonal (host quartz)
Stone family
Quartz (chatoyant variety)
Common cuts
RoundFaceted RoundCoinRondelleCabochon
Common sizes
4mm6mm8mm10mm12mm
Care notes
Durable (Mohs 6.5–7). Mild soap and soft cloth; ultrasonic generally safe but avoid prolonged heat which can dull the chatoyancy. Genuine pietersite is scarce — confirm origin (Namibia or China) on higher-priced strands.
Related stones
Tiger Eye, Hawk's Eye, Quartz, Falcon's Eye
Frequently asked questions
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What's the difference between pietersite and tiger eye?
Both are chatoyant quartz with fibrous crocidolite inclusions, but tiger eye shows parallel fibers in continuous gold or blue bands. Pietersite is brecciated — tectonic activity fractured and recemented the fibers at varied angles, producing the swirling 'storm' pattern with multiple chatoyant directions and mixed blue, gold, red, and brown zones in a single stone. -
Where does pietersite come from?
Dakota stocks pietersite from the two known commercial deposits: Namibia (discovered by Sid Pieters in 1962, generally bluer and more storm-like) and Henan Province, China (often redder and browner). Both are genuine pietersite. Namibian material is scarcer and typically commands higher prices, so confirm origin before buying on premium-priced strands. -
Is pietersite dyed or treated?
Pietersite is typically untreated — the storm pattern and color range come from naturally occurring crocidolite fibers within a quartz matrix. The variation in a single strand is geological, not enhancement. Treatment status can still vary by supplier, so ask before buying if not specified. -
How durable is pietersite for jewelry?
At Mohs 6.5–7 (host quartz), pietersite is durable enough for bracelets, earrings, and necklaces with normal wear. Clean with mild soap and a soft cloth. Ultrasonic cleaning is generally safe, but avoid prolonged heat or steam — sustained high temperatures can dull the chatoyant sheen by altering the fibrous inclusions. -
What sizes and cuts of pietersite does Dakota stock?
Current stock centers on 4mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, and 12mm rounds, with cubes, faceted cubes, table-cut cubes, rondelles, tubes (6x13mm), and chip strands also available. Loose cabochons are stocked for bezel-set and wire-wrapped work where the storm pattern reads best on a flat polished face.