Fluorvesuvianite is a rare fluorine-dominant member of the vesuvianite group. It typically appears as colorlessish prismatic crystals in metasomatized carbonate rocks and is often difficult to distinguish from common vesuvianite without analytical testing.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous silky

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareVesuvianite Group family

Fluorvesuvianite

Hardness: 6
Luster: Vitreous silky
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this fluorvesuvianite?

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 fluorvesuvianite with a known reference. Fluorvesuvianite 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 silky.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, silky white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: acicular, radial.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Fluorvesuvianite leaves white, Epidote leaves grayish white.

Often found alongside fluorvesuvianite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₁₉Al(Al₁₀Mg₂)(SiO₄)₁₀(Si₂O₇)₄OF₉
Mohs hardness: 6
Density: 3.46 g/cm³
Colors: ColorlessSilky white
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous silky
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Tetragonal
Crystal habit: Acicular, radial
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific research
Host rock: In coarse grained, chloritized diopside skarn

Where rockhounds find fluorvesuvianite

Classic worldwide localities

Lupikko mine, Pitkäranta ore field, on the northeastern coast of Ladoga Lake, Karelia, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In coarse grained, chloritized diopside skarn. If you start seeing vesuvianite, clinochlore, sphalerite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular, radial. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify fluorvesuvianite?+

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

Where is fluorvesuvianite found?+

Notable localities include Lupikko mine, Pitkäranta ore field, on the northeastern coast of Ladoga Lake, Karelia, Russia.

What rocks look like fluorvesuvianite?+

Fluorvesuvianite is most often confused with Vesuvianite, Epidote, Grossular. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with fluorvesuvianite?+

Fluorvesuvianite commonly co-occurs with Vesuvianite, Clinochlore, Sphalerite, Calcite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does fluorvesuvianite form in?+

Where it forms: In coarse grained, chloritized diopside skarn. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is fluorvesuvianite used for?+

Fluorvesuvianite is used in collector, scientific research.

Find fluorvesuvianite on the map

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