Gneiss is a high-grade metamorphic rock characterized by distinct light and dark compositional banding known as gneissic banding. It forms under intense heat and pressure from pre-existing igneous or sedimentary rocks, often resulting in a foliated texture visible to the naked eye.

Hardness

5-7

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Opaque

metamorphiccommon

Gneiss

Hardness: 5-7
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Opaque

Is this gneiss?

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 gneiss with a known reference. Gneiss sits at Mohs 5-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Gneiss leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Gneiss typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, gray, pink, black.
5
Look at form & habit
Typical habit: foliated.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Gneiss and pearly on Schist.

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Often found alongside gneiss

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

All properties

Mohs hardness: 5-7
Density: 2.6-2.9 g/cm³
Colors: White Gray Pink Black
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal habit: Foliated
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Common
Uses: Building Stone, Decorative Stone, Road Aggregate
Typical price: $1-20 for standard lapidary specimens

Where rockhounds find gneiss

Classic worldwide localities

Canada
Scandinavia
Scotland
United States

Field-hunting tip

If you start seeing quartz, feldspar, mica in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a foliated habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify gneiss?+

Mohs hardness is 5-7. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include white, gray, pink, black.

Where is gneiss found?+

Notable localities include Canada; Scandinavia; Scotland; United States.

How much is gneiss worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $1-20 for standard lapidary specimens. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like gneiss?+

Gneiss is most often confused with Granite, Schist. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with gneiss?+

Gneiss commonly co-occurs with Quartz, Feldspar, Mica, Garnet. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What is gneiss used for?+

Gneiss is used in building stone, decorative stone, road aggregate.

Find gneiss on the map

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