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, 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.
More californite photos
Common questions
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Find californite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
