Charnockite is a variety of orthopyroxene-bearing granite that is typically associated with high-grade metamorphic terrains. It is easily identified by its characteristic greenish-gray to brownish hue, often displaying a greasy luster due to the presence of hypersthene. It is historically significant in petrology and widely quarried for use as a high-durability building stone.

Hardness

6-7

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Transparency

Opaque

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Charnockite

Hardness: 6-7
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Opaque

Is this charnockite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch charnockite with a known reference. Charnockite sits at Mohs 6-7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Read the texture
Look at a fresh break with a hand lens. Texture: Non-foliated granofels, often banded.
3
Pick out the minerals
Composition: Orthopyroxene-bearing quartz-feldspar rock with perthitic alkali feldspar and hypersthene. Identify the two or three most abundant grains.
4
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
5
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: gray, greenish, brown.

Often confused with

Charnockite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside charnockite

Minerals reported to co-occur with charnockite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Mohs hardness: 6-7
Density: 2.6-2.9 g/cm³
Colors: Gray Greenish Brown
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Opaque
Rarity: Common
Uses: Decorative, Building stone, Collector
Host rock: metamorphic complexes
Texture: Non-foliated granofels, often banded
Composition: Orthopyroxene-bearing quartz-feldspar rock with perthitic alkali feldspar and hypersthene

Where rockhounds find charnockite

Classic worldwide localities

India
Antarctica
Norway
Sri Lanka
Canada

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: metamorphic complexes. If you start seeing quartz, orthoclase, hypersthene in float, you are in the right ground.

More charnockite photos

Common questions

How do you identify charnockite?+

Mohs hardness is 6-7. Texture: Non-foliated granofels, often banded. Composition: Orthopyroxene-bearing quartz-feldspar rock with perthitic alkali feldspar and hypersthene. Luster: vitreous. Common colors include gray, greenish, brown.

Where is charnockite found?+

Notable localities include India; Antarctica; Norway; Sri Lanka; Canada.

What rocks look like charnockite?+

Charnockite is most often confused with Granite, Gneiss. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with charnockite?+

Charnockite commonly co-occurs with Quartz, Orthoclase, Hypersthene, Garnet, Biotite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does charnockite form in?+

Where it forms: metamorphic complexes. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is charnockite used for?+

Charnockite is used in decorative, building stone, collector.

Find charnockite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.