Feruvite is a rare calcium-rich member of the tourmaline group that is often difficult to distinguish from Schorl without chemical analysis. It typically occurs as dark, prismatic, trigonal crystals within pegmatite environments. Collectors value it primarily as an uncommon species within the extensive tourmaline mineral family.
Is this feruvite?
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 feruvite with a known reference. Feruvite sits at Mohs ~7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to dull.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brownish black, dark brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: prismatic, striated.
Often confused with
Feruvite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside feruvite
Minerals reported to co-occur with feruvite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaFe₃(Al₅Mg)(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- ~7
- Density
- 3.207 g/cm³
- Streak
- Gray
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic, striated
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- By hydrothermal replacement of silicates in a pegmatitic rock
Where rockhounds find feruvite
Classic worldwide localities
- Cuvier Island, New Zealand
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: By hydrothermal replacement of silicates in a pegmatitic rock. If you start seeing dravite, quartz, microcline in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic, striated. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify feruvite?+
Where is feruvite found?+
What rocks look like feruvite?+
What minerals are found with feruvite?+
What kind of rock does feruvite form in?+
What is feruvite used for?+
Find feruvite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
