Andradite is a calcium-iron garnet known for its brilliant luster and wide range of colors. Collectors frequently search for the emerald-green 'Demantoid' variety or the black 'Melanite' variety, which are prized for their sharp, well-formed crystal habits.
Is this andradite garnet?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch andradite garnet with a known reference. Andradite Garnet sits at Mohs 6.5-7.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Andradite Garnet leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Andradite Garnet typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, green, yellow, black, red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: isometric. Typical habit: dodecahedral or trapezohedral crystals, often with striated faces.
Often confused with
Andradite Garnet vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside andradite garnet
Minerals reported to co-occur with andradite garnet. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₃Fe₂Si₃O₁₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5-7.5
- Density
- 3.8-3.9 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Isometric
- Crystal habit
- Dodecahedral or Trapezohedral Crystals, Often with Striated Faces
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Gemstone, Lapidary
- Host rock
- Skarns, Contact Metamorphosed Limestones, And Serpentinites
- Typical price
- $10-100 for cabinet specimens; high-quality green 'Demantoid' varieties can reach thousands
Where rockhounds find andradite garnet
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Italy
- Russia
- USA
- Mexico
- Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in skarns, contact metamorphosed limestones, and serpentinites country, the host setting where andradite garnet typically forms. If you start seeing diopside, vesuvianite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a dodecahedral or trapezohedral crystals, often with striated faces habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Pennsylvania. Start trip planning there.
Common questions
How do you identify andradite garnet?+
Where is andradite garnet found?+
Can I find andradite garnet in the United States?+
How much is andradite garnet worth?+
What rocks look like andradite garnet?+
What minerals are found with andradite garnet?+
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Find andradite garnet on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
