Celadonite is a soft, micaceous mineral typically found filling cavities in volcanic rocks like basalt. It is most famous for its historical use as a natural pigment known as 'terre verte' or green earth, prized by painters for its subtle, earth-toned hues.
Is this celadonite?
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 celadonite with a known reference. Celadonite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Celadonite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Celadonite typically shows a dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, blue-green, grayish-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: earthy, micaceous, or as coatings and fillings in vesicles.
Often confused with
Celadonite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside celadonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with celadonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K(Mg,Fe²⁺)(Fe³⁺,Al)Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.6-3.0 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Earthy, Micaceous, Or as Coatings and Fillings in Vesicles
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Pigment
- Host rock
- Basaltic Vesicles and Cavities
- Typical price
- $10-40 per specimen
Where rockhounds find celadonite
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Verona, Italy
- Faroe Islands
- Iceland
- Oregon, USA
- Scotland
Field-hunting tip
Look in basaltic vesicles and cavities country — that is the host setting where celadonite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, zeolites, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a earthy, micaceous, or as coatings and fillings in vesicles habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in New Jersey — start trip planning there.
Common questions
How do you identify celadonite?+
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How much is celadonite worth?+
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Find celadonite on the map
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