Pietersite is a brecciated, chatoyant form of silicified rock that exhibits swirling, turbulent patterns of blue, gold, and red. It is structurally a mix of tiger's eye and hawk's eye, often containing embedded crocidolite fibers that give it its signature shimmering 'stormy' appearance when polished.

Hardness

6.5-7

Mohs

Luster

Silky

Streak

White

Transparency

Opaque

mineraluncommonQuartz family

Pietersite

Also: Tempest Stone

Hardness: 6.5-7
Luster: Silky
Streak: White
Transparency: Opaque

Is this pietersite?

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 pietersite with a known reference. Pietersite 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. Pietersite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Pietersite typically shows a silky luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: blue, gold, brown, red, gray.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: massive.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside pietersite

Minerals reported to co-occur with pietersite. 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: 2.6-2.7 g/cm³
Colors: Blue Gold Brown Red Gray
Streak: White
Luster: Silky
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Massive
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Uncommon
Uses: Lapidary, Collector, Decorative
Host rock: Silicified Breccia
Typical price: $10-100 per rough specimen, up to $500+ for high-quality polished slabs.

Where rockhounds find pietersite

Classic worldwide localities

Namibia
China
South Africa

Field-hunting tip

Look in silicified breccia country, the host setting where pietersite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, hematite, limonite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify pietersite?+

Mohs hardness is 6.5-7. It typically shows a silky luster. The streak is white. Common colors include blue, gold, brown, red.

Where is pietersite found?+

Notable localities include Namibia; China; South Africa.

How much is pietersite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $10-100 per rough specimen, up to $500+ for high-quality polished slabs.. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like pietersite?+

Pietersite is most often confused with Tiger's Eye, Hawk's Eye. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with pietersite?+

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

What kind of rock does pietersite form in?+

Pietersite typically forms in silicified breccia. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is pietersite used for?+

Pietersite is used in lapidary, collector, decorative.

Find pietersite on the map

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