Krinovite is an extremely rare silicate mineral first identified in the remains of the Tunguska meteorite. It typically appears as dark green, anhedral grains within meteoritic material, requiring professional chemical analysis to distinguish from other pyroxene-group minerals.

Hardness

6-7

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareSapphirine Group family

Krinovite

Hardness: 6-7
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this krinovite?

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 krinovite with a known reference. Krinovite sits at Mohs 6-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Krinovite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Krinovite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: dark green, emerald green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: granular.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside krinovite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: NaMg₂CrSi₃O₁₀
Mohs hardness: 6-7
Density: 3.85 g/cm³
Colors: Dark Green Emerald Green
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Granular
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Iron-rich Meteorites
Typical price: $100-500 per micro-mount or small specimen

Where rockhounds find krinovite

Classic worldwide localities

Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia
Tunguska meteorite fall area, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in iron-rich meteorites country — that is the host setting where krinovite typically forms. If you start seeing forsterite, enstatite, chromite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify krinovite?+

Mohs hardness is 6-7. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include dark green, emerald green.

Where is krinovite found?+

Notable localities include Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia; Tunguska meteorite fall area, Russia.

How much is krinovite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $100-500 per micro-mount or small specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like krinovite?+

Krinovite is most often confused with Sapphirine, Omphacite, Diopside. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with krinovite?+

Krinovite commonly co-occurs with Forsterite, Enstatite, Chromite, Plagioclase. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does krinovite form in?+

Krinovite typically forms in iron-rich meteorites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is krinovite used for?+

Krinovite is used in collector.

Find krinovite on the map

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