Kannanite is a rare, magnesium-rich variety of the tourmaline group, primarily recognized by its distinct blue to blue-green color. It typically forms elongated, heavily striated prismatic crystals and is primarily sourced from pegmatite deposits.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareTourmaline Group family

Kannanite

Hardness: 6
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent

Is this kannanite?

4-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 kannanite with a known reference. Kannanite sits at Mohs 6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
3
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: brownish orange, orange.
4
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals with striated faces.

Often confused with

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

gemstone

Indicolite

Mohs 7-7.5

How to tell apart: Indicolite is the harder of the two (Mohs 7-7.5 vs. 6).

How to tell apart: Elbaite is the harder of the two (Mohs 7 vs. 6).

Compare →

Often found alongside kannanite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₄Al₄(MgAl)(VO₄)(SiO₄)₂(Si₃O₁₀)(OH)₆
Mohs hardness: 6
Density: 3.43 g/cm³
Colors: Brownish orange Orange
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Prismatic crystals with striated faces
Cleavage: None observed. [Expected to be perfect on {010} by analogy with ardennite
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Gemstone, Collector
Host rock: A product of pumpellyite-actinolite-facies metamorphism of Fe-Mn-ore (quartz, hematite, braunite) in metachert

Where rockhounds find kannanite

Classic worldwide localities

Kannan Mountain, Ozu district, Ehime Prefecture, Japan

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: A product of pumpellyite-actinolite-facies metamorphism of Fe-Mn-ore (quartz, hematite, braunite) in metachert. If you start seeing ardennite-, piemontite, hematite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals with striated faces. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify kannanite?+

Mohs hardness is 6. Luster: vitreous. Common colors include brownish orange, orange.

Where is kannanite found?+

Notable localities include Kannan Mountain, Ozu district, Ehime Prefecture, Japan.

Is kannanite safe to handle?+

Kannanite contains vanadium. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.

What rocks look like kannanite?+

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

What minerals are found with kannanite?+

Kannanite commonly co-occurs with Ardennite-, Piemontite, Hematite, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does kannanite form in?+

Where it forms: A product of pumpellyite-actinolite-facies metamorphism of Fe-Mn-ore (quartz, hematite, braunite) in metachert. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is kannanite used for?+

Kannanite is used in gemstone, collector.

Find kannanite on the map

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