Paragonite is a sodium-rich mica that is often difficult to distinguish from muscovite in the field without analytical testing. It typically occurs as fine-grained, scaly aggregates in metamorphic rocks like greenschist and blueschist facies.
Is this paragonite?
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 paragonite with a known reference. Paragonite sits at Mohs 2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Paragonite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Paragonite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, yellowish, greenish, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy masses, scaly aggregates, foliated.
Often confused with
Paragonite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside paragonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with paragonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaAl₂(Si₃Al)O₁₀(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 2.8-3.0 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Masses, Scaly Aggregates, Foliated
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Study
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Rocks Like Schists and Eclogites
- Typical price
- $5-30 for small mineral specimens
Where rockhounds find paragonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Ticino, Switzerland
- Gwynedd, Wales
- Valle d'Aosta, Italy
- New England, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic rocks like schists and eclogites country — that is the host setting where paragonite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, kyanite, staurolite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy masses, scaly aggregates, foliated habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find paragonite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
