Edenite is a magnesium-rich member of the calcic amphibole group, typically occurring in metamorphosed carbonate rocks. It is most recognized for its short, prismatic to blocky crystal habit and distinct green or brownish coloring, and it is named after its type locality in Edenville, New York.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Semitransparent

mineraluncommonAmphibole Group family

Edenite

Hardness: 6
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Semitransparent

Is this edenite?

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 edenite with a known reference. Edenite sits at Mohs 6, 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: bluish green, colorless, gray, white, light green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular.

Often confused with

Edenite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Edenite leaves white, Hornblende leaves grayish-white.

Often found alongside edenite

Minerals reported to co-occur with edenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: NaCa₂Mg₅(Si₇Al)O₂₂(OH)₂
Mohs hardness: 6
Density: 3.05-3.37 g/cm³
Colors: Bluish green Colorless Gray White Light green
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Semitransparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular
Cleavage: Good on {110}, intersecting at 56° and 124°; partings on {100}, {001}
Fluorescence: Pale green-blue under SW UV
Rarity: Uncommon
Uses: Collector, Scientific research
Host rock: In intermediate plutonic igneous and medium-grade metamorphic rocks, as amphibolites and marbles

Where rockhounds find edenite

Classic worldwide localities

Perhaps from Edenville, Orange Co., New York, and Franklin and Sterling Hill, Ogdensburg, Sussex Co., New Jersey, USA
Tory Hill, near Bancroft, and at Wilberforce, Ontario, Canada
Kotaki, Niigata Prefecture, Japan

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In intermediate plutonic igneous and medium-grade metamorphic rocks, as amphibolites and marbles. If you start seeing titanite, mica, chondrodite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify edenite?+

Mohs hardness is 6. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include bluish green, colorless, gray, white.

Where is edenite found?+

Notable localities include Perhaps from Edenville, Orange Co., New York, and Franklin and Sterling Hill, Ogdensburg, Sussex Co., New Jersey, USA; Tory Hill, near Bancroft, and at Wilberforce, Ontario, Canada; Kotaki, Niigata Prefecture, Japan.

What rocks look like edenite?+

Edenite is most often confused with Actinolite, Hornblende, Tremolite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with edenite?+

Edenite commonly co-occurs with Titanite, Mica, Chondrodite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does edenite form in?+

Where it forms: In intermediate plutonic igneous and medium-grade metamorphic rocks, as amphibolites and marbles. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is edenite used for?+

Edenite is used in collector, scientific research.

Find edenite on the map

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