Fluoro-pargasite is a member of the calcic amphibole group, distinguished by dominant fluorine in the hydroxyl site. Collectors usually find it as deep green, stout prismatic crystals often embedded in crystalline limestone or contact metamorphic skarn rocks.
Is this fluoro-pargasite?
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 fluoro-pargasite with a known reference. Fluoro-pargasite sits at Mohs 5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Fluoro-pargasite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Fluoro-pargasite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green, brownish green, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Fluoro-pargasite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Fluoro-pargasite leaves white, Hornblende leaves grayish-white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Fluoro-pargasite leaves white, Hastingsite leaves white to light gray.
Often found alongside fluoro-pargasite
Minerals reported to co-occur with fluoro-pargasite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaCa₂Mg₄Al(Si₆Al₂)O₂₂F₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 3.1-3.3 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect Prismatic
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Limestones and Skarns
- Typical price
- $20-150 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find fluoro-pargasite
Classic worldwide localities
- Pargas, Finland
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Grenville Province, Canada
- New York, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic limestones and skarns country — that is the host setting where fluoro-pargasite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, diopside, phlogopite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find fluoro-pargasite on the map
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