Mtorolite is a distinct apple-green variety of chalcedony colored by chromium inclusions. It is highly valued in the lapidary arts for its rich color and typically occurs as massive, waxy material within serpentinite deposits.

Hardness

6.5-7

Mohs

Luster

Waxy

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineraluncommonQuartz family

Mtorolite

Also: Chrome Chalcedony

Hardness: 6.5-7
Luster: Waxy
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this mtorolite?

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 mtorolite with a known reference. Mtorolite sits at Mohs 6.5-7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: waxy.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: apple green, dark green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: massive.

Often confused with

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

gemstone

Chrysoprase

Mohs 6.5-7

How to tell apart: Luster reads waxy on Mtorolite and vitreous to waxy on Chrysoprase.

How to tell apart: Luster reads waxy on Mtorolite and subvitreous, pearly on cleavages on Jadeite.

Often found alongside mtorolite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: SiO₂
Mohs hardness: 6.5-7
Density: 2.6 g/cm³
Colors: Apple green Dark green
Streak: White
Luster: Waxy
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Massive
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Uncommon
Uses: Gemstone, Lapidary, Collector
Host rock: serpentinite

Where rockhounds find mtorolite

Classic worldwide localities

Zimbabwe
Australia
Turkey

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: serpentinite. If you start seeing quartz, chromite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify mtorolite?+

Mohs hardness is 6.5-7. Luster: waxy. The streak is white. Common colors include apple green, dark green.

Where is mtorolite found?+

Notable localities include Zimbabwe; Australia; Turkey.

What rocks look like mtorolite?+

Mtorolite is most often confused with Chrysoprase, Jadeite, Nephrite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with mtorolite?+

Mtorolite commonly co-occurs with Quartz, Chromite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does mtorolite form in?+

Where it forms: serpentinite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is mtorolite used for?+

Mtorolite is used in gemstone, lapidary, collector.

Find mtorolite on the map

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