Cyprine is a rare copper-bearing variety of vesuvianite prized by collectors for its distinct, vibrant blue color. It typically forms in contact metamorphic zones where limestone has been altered by igneous intrusions, often occurring as translucent massive chunks or small, stubby prismatic crystals.
Is this cyprine?
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 cyprine with a known reference. Cyprine sits at Mohs 6.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Cyprine leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Cyprine typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, blue-green, sky-blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Cyprine vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Cyprine is noticeably harder (Mohs 6.5 vs. 4.5-5).
How to tell apart: Cyprine is noticeably harder (Mohs 6.5 vs. 4-4.5).
How to tell apart: Cyprine is noticeably harder (Mohs 6.5 vs. 5).
Often found alongside cyprine
Minerals reported to co-occur with cyprine. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₁₉(Al,Mg,Fe)₁₃(SiO₄)₁₀(Si₂O₇)₄(O,OH,F)₁₀
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5
- Density
- 3.3-3.5 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- Poor
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Lapidary
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Limestone and Skarn Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-200 per specimen
Where rockhounds find cyprine
Classic worldwide localities
- Franklin, New Jersey, USA
- Telemark, Norway
- Pitcairn Island, New Zealand
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed limestone and skarn deposits country — that is the host setting where cyprine typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, garnet, diopside in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find cyprine on the map
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