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, 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.
