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, 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.