Californite is a massive, compact, green variety of the mineral vesuvianite often used as a gemstone. It is frequently mistaken for jade due to its similar color and appearance, though it typically displays a more granular texture. It is found primarily in California, occurring in metamorphic contact zones where limestone has been altered.
Is this californite?
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 californite with a known reference. Californite sits at Mohs 6.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Californite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Californite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, yellow-green, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Californite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Californite and vitreous to pearly on Jadeite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Californite and waxy on Nephrite.
How to tell apart: Californite is noticeably harder (Mohs 6.5 vs. 2.5-5.5); luster reads vitreous on Californite and greasy on Serpentine.
Often found alongside californite
Minerals reported to co-occur with californite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₁₀Mg₂Al₄(Si₂O₇)₂(SiO₄)₅(OH)₄
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5
- Density
- 3.3-3.5 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- Poor
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Lapidary, Collector, Decorative
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Rocks
- Typical price
- $10-100 per specimen
Where rockhounds find californite
2 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Siskiyou County, California, USA
- Tulare County, California, USA
- Placer County, California, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic rocks country — that is the host setting where californite typically forms. If you start seeing diopside, grossular, chlorite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Oregon — start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find californite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
