Grey Stones: List, Shades, Symbolism, Imitations and Care

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Hematite, labradorite, larvikite, lava stone, nuummite, meteorite, fulgurite... : grey stones, their shades, hardness, symbolism and the pitfalls to avoid.

Key points

Shades	Pearl grey, steel grey, blue-grey, anthracite, silvery, leaden
Best-known stones	Hematite, labradorite, larvikite, lava stone, nuummite
Hardest	Carborundum (about 9), grey agate (6.5 to 7), labradorite (6 to 6.5)
Softest	Steatite (1), stibnite (2), bismuth (about 2)
Handle with care	Stibnite (toxic), bismuth, fulgurite and moonstone (fragile)
Symbolism	Neutrality, sobriety, detachment; a modern convention that varies by culture

Grey, a colour of lustre, mixture and optics

Pure grey is rare among minerals. It appears in three forms. It comes from a metallic lustre (hematite, stibnite, bismuth, iron meteorite), from a mixture of minerals within a rock (larvikite, lava stone, nuummite), or from a play of light on a dark background: in labradorite, fine internal lamellae reflect blue, green or gold depending on the angle, and the body of the stone itself stays grey. Darker stones are found among the black stones, and lighter ones among the white stones.

The main grey stones

Stone	Shade	Hardness	Good to know
Hematite	steel grey, metallic lustre	5.5 to 6.5	iron oxide, red powder; magnetic “hematine” is manufactured
Labradorite	dark grey, blue, green and gold reflections	6 to 6.5	feldspar; the reflections depend on the angle
Larvikite	blue-grey with bluish sheen	about 6 to 6.5	rock from Norway, variable grain
Moonstone	greyish white, milky sheen	6 to 6.5 (cleavage)	feldspar, fragile under impact
Lava stone	dark grey to black, porous	variable (rock)	basalt; absorbs oils and liquids
Nuummite	grey-black, copper and gold flashes	5.5 to 6	rock from Greenland, nearly 3 billion years old
Meteorite	metallic grey, brown	variable	asteroid fragment; frequent imitations
Silver obsidian	black to grey, silvery reflections	5 to 5.5	volcanic glass; sharp fragments
Snowflake obsidian	black, grey or white spots	5 to 5.5	volcanic glass with tiny crystals
Fulgurite	grey, brown, black, tube-shaped	5.5 to 6 (very fragile)	glass born from lightning striking sand
Carborundum	grey, rainbow reflections	about 9 to 9.5	manufactured silicon carbide, not a mined mineral
Bismuth	silvery grey, iridescent	about 2.25	metal crystallised by melting, not natural
Stibnite	metallic grey, blades	2	antimony sulphide; toxic
Steatite	grey, green, brown, soapy	1	talc; can be scratched with a fingernail
Magnesite	white to grey	about 4	porous; often dyed blue
Grey agate	grey, bluish, banded	6.5 to 7	chalcedony; dyeing is frequent

A few details

Hematite takes its name from the Greek haima, “blood”, because its powder is red; it is heavy for its size. Magnetic beads sold under this name, sometimes called “hematine”, are a manufactured material. Labradorite is named after Labrador (Canada); its Finnish variety, which is more colourful, is sometimes called spectrolite. Nuummite, from the Nuuk region of Greenland, is a very ancient rock. A meteorite is an asteroid fragment; iron meteorites, once polished and etched with acid by specialists, show so-called Widmanstätten patterns. Fulgurite is a glass tube formed when lightning melts sand. Carborundum is a silicon carbide created in a factory at the end of the 19th century, not a stone that was mined. Lava stone is a porous basalt, used in bracelets onto which scented oils are sometimes dropped. For stibnite and the minerals that require precautions, read toxic stones and minerals: never put them in your mouth, and wash your hands after handling them.

What grey evokes, across cultures

Between black and white, grey suggests neutrality, restraint and moderation in the West; it is also the colour of ash, mist and the passing of time. In the 19th century it was among the shades of half-mourning. In Japan, the many shades of grey and brown, very numerous during the Edo period, have remained associated with understated elegance. No chakra is traditionally grey; in modern lithotherapy, grey stones are linked with sobriety, detachment and grounding, and sometimes with the root chakra. These are recent conventions with no scientific evidence; see the root chakra.

Treatments, dyeing and imitations

Hematite: many pieces of jewellery are made of “hematine”, a manufactured material, often strongly magnetic, which can flake or rust. A magnet that clings strongly is a clue, not proof.
Labradorite: glass imitations exist; a stone that shines the same way from every angle is suspect.
Meteorite: slag, ferruginous rocks and manufactured iron are sold as meteorites; ask for a find location and an identification.
Agate, magnesite: dyeing is very common, especially in blue or grey.
Bismuth, carborundum: manufactured products sold as stones; they can be appreciated for what they are, if the seller says so.

For simple benchmarks, see real or fake stone.

Care and associations

Labradorite, larvikite and agate are cleaned with lukewarm water and a soft cloth; moonstone is vulnerable to knocks because of its cleavage. Hematite is rinsed briefly, then dried straight away. Lava stone is cleaned dry: it absorbs water and oils, which can stain it. An iron meteorite deteriorates in humidity (rust): keep it dry. Fulgurite, stibnite, steatite and magnesite are wiped dry, without prolonged contact with water. Obsidians can chip and cut. The purification table gives the precautions for each stone. Grey goes well with pink, blue and white.

Frequently asked questions

Why does labradorite change colour?

Fine lamellae inside the feldspar reflect light: this is called labradorescence. The reflection appears only at certain angles; the body of the stone remains grey.

How can I tell whether a hematite is natural?

Natural hematite is heavy, grey and barely magnetic. Beads that cling strongly to a magnet are most often “hematine”, a manufactured material.

Does lava stone really absorb oils?

Yes, because it is a porous rock. A drop of oil can therefore stain it; simply let it dry and avoid excess water.

Is a meteorite sold in a shop authentic?

Not always. Ask for the name of the find location or fall and, for a valuable piece, an identification document. Slag and manufactured iron are common.

Can you wear stibnite or bismuth?

Stibnite contains antimony: do not wear it against the skin and never put it in your mouth. The bismuth sold is manufactured; wash your hands after touching it.