Surinamite is a rare beryllium-bearing silicate mineral found in high-grade metamorphic rocks. It typically occurs as small, pale blue to blue-green transparent crystals and is highly prized by mineral collectors due to its rarity and limited geographic distribution.

Hardness

7-7.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Surinamite

Hardness: 7-7.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this surinamite?

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 surinamite with a known reference. Surinamite sits at Mohs 7-7.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Surinamite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Surinamite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: blue, blue-green, colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside surinamite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: (Mg,Fe²⁺)₃Al₄BeSi₃O₁₆
Mohs hardness: 7-7.5
Density: 3.48 g/cm³
Colors: Blue Blue-green Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific Research
Host rock: Granulite-facies Metamorphic Rocks
Typical price: $50-500 depending on specimen quality and size

Where rockhounds find surinamite

Classic worldwide localities

Bakhuys Mountains, Suriname
Casey Bay, Enderby Land, Antarctica
Larsemann Hills, Antarctica
Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in granulite-facies metamorphic rocks country — that is the host setting where surinamite typically forms. If you start seeing sapphirine, sillimanite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify surinamite?+

Mohs hardness is 7-7.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include blue, blue-green, colorless.

Where is surinamite found?+

Notable localities include Bakhuys Mountains, Suriname; Casey Bay, Enderby Land, Antarctica; Larsemann Hills, Antarctica; Kola Peninsula, Russia.

How much is surinamite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-500 depending on specimen quality and size. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like surinamite?+

Surinamite is most often confused with Sapphirine, Kyanite, Dumortierite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with surinamite?+

Surinamite commonly co-occurs with Sapphirine, Sillimanite, Quartz, K-feldspar, Garnet. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does surinamite form in?+

Surinamite typically forms in granulite-facies metamorphic rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is surinamite used for?+

Surinamite is used in collector, scientific research.

Find surinamite on the map

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