Chondrodite is a member of the Humite group, frequently occurring as yellow to orange grains or small crystals embedded in contact-metamorphosed limestones. Collectors prize it for its strong fluorescence and distinct color, often seeking specimens from classic localities like the Franklin mining district.
Is this chondrodite?
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 chondrodite with a known reference. Chondrodite sits at Mohs 6-6.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Chondrodite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Chondrodite typically shows a vitreous to resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, orange, brown, reddish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: granular, massive, or small rounded prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Chondrodite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous to resinous on Chondrodite and vitreous on Spessartine.
How to tell apart: Zircon is the harder of the two (Mohs 7.5 vs. 6-6.5); luster reads vitreous to resinous on Chondrodite and adamantine on Zircon.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous to resinous on Chondrodite and vitreous on Clinohumite.
Often found alongside chondrodite
Minerals reported to co-occur with chondrodite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Mg,Fe)₅(SiO₄)₂(F,OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6-6.5
- Density
- 3.1-3.2 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Granular, Massive, Or Small Rounded Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Poor On {001}
- Fluorescence
- Often Fluoresces Bright Yellow Under SW UV
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Gemstone
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Limestone and Dolomite Marbles
- Typical price
- $10-150 depending on crystal size and transparency
Where rockhounds find chondrodite
3 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Franklin, New Jersey, USA
- Pargas, Finland
- Kukh-i-Lal, Tajikistan
- Amity, New York, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed limestone and dolomite marbles country, the host setting where chondrodite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, dolomite, phlogopite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a granular, massive, or small rounded prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in New Jersey, New York. Start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find chondrodite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
