Rhodolite is a beautiful rose-red to violet-red variety of garnet that represents an intermediate member of the pyrope-almandine solid solution series. It is highly valued as a gemstone due to its high refractive index and excellent clarity, often found in metamorphic rocks like gneiss or schist.

Hardness

7-7.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Transparency

Transparent

gemstonecommonGarnet Group family

Rhodolite

Hardness: 7-7.5
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent

Is this rhodolite?

4-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 rhodolite with a known reference. Rhodolite sits at Mohs 7-7.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Rhodolite typically shows a vitreous luster.
3
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: pink, red, purple.
4
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside rhodolite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Mg₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃
Mohs hardness: 7-7.5
Density: 3.84 g/cm³
Colors: Pink Red Purple
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Dodecahedral Crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Common
Uses: Gemstone, Collector
Host rock: Metamorphic Rocks
Typical price: $20-200 per carat for faceted stones

Where rockhounds find rhodolite

1 mapped spots

Classic worldwide localities

Sri Lanka
Tanzania
Kenya
Madagascar
USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in metamorphic rocks country, the host setting where rhodolite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, mica, feldspar in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a dodecahedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Alabama. Start trip planning there.

Browse 1 U.S. spots for rhodolite →

More rhodolite photos

Common questions

How do you identify rhodolite?+

Mohs hardness is 7-7.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. Common colors include pink, red, purple.

Where is rhodolite found?+

Notable localities include Sri Lanka; Tanzania; Kenya; Madagascar; USA.

Can I find rhodolite in the United States?+

RockHoundR maps 1 rhodolite rockhounding spots across 1 U.S. states. The top states are Alabama.

How much is rhodolite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $20-200 per carat for faceted stones. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like rhodolite?+

Rhodolite is most often confused with Almandite, Pyrope, Spessartine. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with rhodolite?+

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

What kind of rock does rhodolite form in?+

Rhodolite typically forms in metamorphic rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is rhodolite used for?+

Rhodolite is used in gemstone, collector.

Find rhodolite on the map

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