Smaragdite is a chromium-rich, emerald-green variety of actinolite or hornblende commonly associated with corundum. It is most often found as a fine-grained, massive constituent within eclogite or metamorphic rocks, favored by lapidary artists for carving.
Is this smaragdite?
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 smaragdite with a known reference. Smaragdite sits at Mohs 5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Smaragdite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Smaragdite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: emerald green, grass green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: fibrous.
Often confused with
Smaragdite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Smaragdite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5-6 vs. 2.5-3); luster reads vitreous on Smaragdite and pearly on Fuchsite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Smaragdite and vitreous to silky on Actinolite.
Often found alongside smaragdite
Minerals reported to co-occur with smaragdite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂(Mg,Fe²⁺)₅Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 3.2-3.4 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous
- Cleavage
- Perfect in Two Directions
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Lapidary
- Host rock
- Metamorphic
- Typical price
- $10-100 per specimen
Where rockhounds find smaragdite
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Austria
- Italy
- North Carolina, USA
- Norway
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic country, the host setting where smaragdite typically forms. If you start seeing corundum, zoisite, plagioclase in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a fibrous habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in North Carolina. Start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find smaragdite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
