Grossularite is a calcium-aluminum garnet that forms in diverse colors, ranging from the green 'Tsavorite' variety to the orange-brown 'Hessonite'. It is commonly found as well-formed dodecahedral crystals in contact metamorphic rocks like skarns. Collectors often prize it for its high brilliance and clear, well-defined crystal shapes.
Is this grossularite garnet?
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 grossularite garnet with a known reference. Grossularite Garnet sits at Mohs 6.5-7.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Grossularite Garnet leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Grossularite Garnet typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, yellow, brown, orange, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: dodecahedral or trapezohedral crystals.
Often confused with
Grossularite Garnet vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside grossularite garnet
Minerals reported to co-occur with grossularite garnet. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5-7.5
- Density
- 3.5-3.6 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Dodecahedral or Trapezohedral Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Fluorescence
- Orange Under LW UV
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Gemstone, Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Limestone and Skarn Deposits
- Typical price
- $10-100 per carat for gem quality, $20-200 for specimens
Where rockhounds find grossularite garnet
3 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Mexico
- Canada
- Kenya
- Tanzania
- USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed limestone and skarn deposits country — that is the host setting where grossularite garnet typically forms. If you start seeing diopside, calcite, epidote in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a dodecahedral or trapezohedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah — start trip planning there.
Common questions
How do you identify grossularite garnet?+
Where is grossularite garnet found?+
Can I find grossularite garnet in the United States?+
How much is grossularite garnet worth?+
What rocks look like grossularite garnet?+
What minerals are found with grossularite garnet?+
What kind of rock does grossularite garnet form in?+
What is grossularite garnet used for?+
Find grossularite garnet on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
