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 — that is 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.
