Spodumene is a pyroxene mineral that occurs in transparent, gem-quality varieties known as Kunzite (pink/violet) and Hiddenite (green). Collectors should look for its characteristic vertical striations along the prism faces and perfect cleavage that makes it fragile to handle.
Is this spodumene?
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 spodumene with a known reference. Spodumene sits at Mohs 6.5-7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Spodumene leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Spodumene typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, gray, yellow, pink, green, violet.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic, tabular, often vertically striated.
Often confused with
Spodumene vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside spodumene
Minerals reported to co-occur with spodumene. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- LiAlSi₂O₆
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5-7
- Density
- 3.1-3.2 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic, Tabular, Often Vertically Striated
- Cleavage
- Perfect in Two Directions
- Fluorescence
- Orange Under SW UV For Kunzite
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Gemstone, Lithium Source, Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $10-50 per gram for gem rough, $20-200 for specimens
Where rockhounds find spodumene
11 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Brazil
- Afghanistan
- USA
- Pakistan
- Madagascar
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country, the host setting where spodumene typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, microcline, albite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic, tabular, often vertically striated habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in North Carolina, Connecticut, Maine. Start trip planning there.
Common questions
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How much is spodumene worth?+
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Find spodumene on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
