Hedenbergite is an iron-rich member of the pyroxene group frequently found in contact-metamorphosed limestones. Collectors look for its dark, prismatic crystals or massive, granular aggregates typically embedded within skarn mineral associations.
Is this hedenbergite?
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 hedenbergite with a known reference. Hedenbergite sits at Mohs 5.5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Hedenbergite leaves a white to pale green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Hedenbergite typically shows a vitreous to resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green, black, brownish-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, granular, massive.
Often confused with
Hedenbergite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Hedenbergite leaves white to pale green, Augite leaves grayish white; luster reads vitreous to resinous on Hedenbergite and vitreous on Augite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Hedenbergite leaves white to pale green, Diopside leaves white; luster reads vitreous to resinous on Hedenbergite and vitreous on Diopside.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Hedenbergite leaves white to pale green, Johannsenite leaves white; luster reads vitreous to resinous on Hedenbergite and vitreous on Johannsenite.
Often found alongside hedenbergite
Minerals reported to co-occur with hedenbergite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaFeSi₂O₆
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5-6
- Density
- 3.5-3.6 g/cm³
- Streak
- White to Pale Green
- Luster
- Vitreous to Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Granular, Massive
- Cleavage
- Good On {110}
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Skarns, Contact Metamorphic Rocks
- Typical price
- $10-100 per specimen
Where rockhounds find hedenbergite
Classic worldwide localities
- Sweden
- Italy
- USA
- Russia
- China
- Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in skarns, contact metamorphic rocks country — that is the host setting where hedenbergite typically forms. If you start seeing garnet, calcite, magnetite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, granular, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify hedenbergite?+
Where is hedenbergite found?+
How much is hedenbergite worth?+
What rocks look like hedenbergite?+
What minerals are found with hedenbergite?+
What kind of rock does hedenbergite form in?+
What is hedenbergite used for?+
Find hedenbergite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
