Suevite is an impact breccia composed of angular rock and mineral fragments, often including shocked quartz and glassy particles formed during a meteorite impact. It is typically found in and around large terrestrial impact craters and is identified by its chaotic, mixed-fragment texture and presence of impact melt components.

Hardness

5-6

Mohs

Luster

Dull

Streak

White

Transparency

Opaque

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Suevite

Hardness: 5-6
Luster: Dull
Streak: White
Transparency: Opaque

Is this suevite?

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 suevite with a known reference. Suevite sits at Mohs 5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Suevite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Suevite typically shows a dull luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: gray, brown, greenish.
5
Look at form & habit
Typical habit: brecciated.

Often confused with

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

igneous

Tuff

Mohs 2-4

How to tell apart: Suevite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5-6 vs. 2-4).

Compare →

Often found alongside suevite

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

All properties

Mohs hardness: 5-6
Density: 2.3-2.6 g/cm³
Colors: Gray Brown Greenish
Streak: White
Luster: Dull
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal habit: Brecciated
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Uncommon
Uses: Collector, Geological Research
Host rock: Impact Crater Environment
Typical price: $10-150 depending on specimen size and crater provenance

Where rockhounds find suevite

Classic worldwide localities

Nördlinger Ries, Germany
Popigai crater, Russia
Manicouagan crater, Canada

Field-hunting tip

Look in impact crater environment country — that is the host setting where suevite typically forms. If you start seeing coesite, stishovite, lechatelierite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a brecciated habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify suevite?+

Mohs hardness is 5-6. It typically shows a dull luster. The streak is white. Common colors include gray, brown, greenish.

Where is suevite found?+

Notable localities include Nördlinger Ries, Germany; Popigai crater, Russia; Manicouagan crater, Canada.

How much is suevite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $10-150 depending on specimen size and crater provenance. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like suevite?+

Suevite is most often confused with Tuff. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with suevite?+

Suevite commonly co-occurs with coesite, stishovite, lechatelierite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does suevite form in?+

Suevite typically forms in impact crater environment. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is suevite used for?+

Suevite is used in collector, geological research.

Find suevite on the map

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