Fluorvesuvianite is a rare fluorine-dominant member of the vesuvianite group. It typically appears as brownish prismatic crystals in metasomatized carbonate rocks and is often difficult to distinguish from common vesuvianite without analytical testing.
Is this fluorvesuvianite?
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 fluorvesuvianite with a known reference. Fluorvesuvianite sits at Mohs 6.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Fluorvesuvianite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Fluorvesuvianite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, yellow-brown, greenish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Fluorvesuvianite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
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
- Ca₁₉Mg₂Al₄(Si₂O₇)₂(SiO₄)₁₀(OH)₂F₄
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5
- Density
- 3.37-3.45 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Poor
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Skarns and Metasomatized Contact Zones
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find fluorvesuvianite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in skarns and metasomatized contact zones country — that is the host setting where fluorvesuvianite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, diopside, wollastonite 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
How do you identify fluorvesuvianite?+
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What rocks look like fluorvesuvianite?+
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Find fluorvesuvianite on the map
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