Epidote is a common metamorphic mineral easily recognized by its distinct pistachio-green color. It often forms elongated, vertically striated crystals in cavities within schist or gneiss, and it is a major constituent of the rock type known as epidosite.
Is this epidote?
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 epidote with a known reference. Epidote sits at Mohs 6-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Epidote leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Epidote typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pistachio green, yellowish-green, dark green, blackish-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, acicular, granular, massive.
Often confused with
Epidote vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside epidote
Minerals reported to co-occur with epidote. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂Al₂Fe(Si₂O₇)(SiO₄)O(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 6-7
- Density
- 3.3-3.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Acicular, Granular, Massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Lapidary, Decorative
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Rocks, Skarns, Hydrothermal Veins, Igneous Rocks
- Typical price
- $10-100 thumbnail, $50-500 cabinet
Where rockhounds find epidote
75 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Knappenwand, Austria
- Prince of Wales Island, USA
- Baja California, Mexico
- Arendal, Norway
- Oisans, France
U.S. states with epidote
Each link opens a state-specific list of mapped rockhounding spots that produce epidote.
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic rocks, skarns, hydrothermal veins, igneous rocks country — that is the host setting where epidote typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, albite, garnet in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, acicular, granular, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in North Carolina, Virginia, New Jersey — start trip planning there.
Common questions
How do you identify epidote?+
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Find epidote on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
