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 — that is 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.
