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.

Hardness

7-7.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareDravite family

Chromium-dravite

Hardness: 7-7.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

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Is this chromium-dravite?

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 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.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: emerald green, deep green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal 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: Emerald greenDeep green
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

Where rockhounds find chromium-dravite

Classic worldwide localities

Outokumpu, Finland
Zarafshan Range, Tajikistan
Maku, Iran
Saranovskii mine, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: metamorphic rocks, specifically chromite-bearing schists and marbles. If you start seeing quartz, calcite, chromite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify chromium-dravite?+

Mohs hardness is 7-7.5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include emerald green, deep green.

Where is chromium-dravite found?+

Notable localities include Outokumpu, Finland; Zarafshan Range, Tajikistan; Maku, Iran; Saranovskii mine, Russia.

What rocks look like chromium-dravite?+

Chromium-dravite is most often confused with Uvarovite, Diopside, Emerald. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with chromium-dravite?+

Chromium-dravite commonly co-occurs with Quartz, Calcite, Chromite, Tremolite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does chromium-dravite form in?+

Where it forms: metamorphic rocks, specifically chromite-bearing schists and marbles. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is chromium-dravite used for?+

Chromium-dravite is used in collector, lapidary.

Find chromium-dravite on the map

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