Chromium-dravite is a rare chromium-rich variety of the dravite tourmaline group, prized by collectors for its vivid, intense green color caused by chromium substitution. It typically occurs as elongated prismatic crystals within metamorphic rocks associated with ultramafic bodies. Collectors should look for well-defined, transparent to translucent prisms that exhibit distinct green hues, often found alongside chromite or silicate minerals.
Is this chromium-dravite?
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 chromium-dravite with a known reference. Chromium-dravite sits at Mohs 7-7.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Chromium-dravite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Chromium-dravite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: emerald green, deep green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Chromium-dravite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside chromium-dravite
Minerals reported to co-occur with chromium-dravite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaMg₃Cr₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 7-7.5
- Density
- 3.0-3.2 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Indistinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Lapidary
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Rocks, Specifically Chromite-bearing Schists and Marbles
- Typical price
- $20-200 per specimen depending on size and crystal quality
Where rockhounds find chromium-dravite
Classic worldwide localities
- Outokumpu, Finland
- Zarafshan Range, Tajikistan
- Maku, Iran
- Saranovskii mine, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic rocks, specifically chromite-bearing schists and marbles country — that is the host setting where chromium-dravite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, calcite, chromite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify chromium-dravite?+
Where is chromium-dravite found?+
How much is chromium-dravite worth?+
What rocks look like chromium-dravite?+
What minerals are found with chromium-dravite?+
What kind of rock does chromium-dravite form in?+
What is chromium-dravite used for?+
Find chromium-dravite on the map
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