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

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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. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: blue, blue green.
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: Mg₃Al₃O[Si₃BeAlO₁₅]
Mohs hardness: 7-7.5
Density: 3.58 g/cm³
Colors: Blue Blue green
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals, massive, granular
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific research
Host rock: In mylonitic mesoperthite gneiss, probably formed during high-pressure granulite facies metamorphism of aluminous rocks (Bakhuis Mountains, Surinam)

Where rockhounds find surinamite

Classic worldwide localities

Bakhuis Mountains, Surinam
Woolanga Bore area, Strangways Range, Northern Territory, Australia
Casey Bay, Enderby Land, Antarctica
Chimwala area, Eastern Province, Zambia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In mylonitic mesoperthite gneiss, probably formed during high-pressure granulite facies metamorphism of aluminous rocks (Bakhuis Mountains, Surinam). If you start seeing biotite, kyanite, sillimanite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify surinamite?+

Mohs hardness is 7-7.5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include blue, blue green.

Where is surinamite found?+

Notable localities include Bakhuis Mountains, Surinam; Woolanga Bore area, Strangways Range, Northern Territory, Australia; Casey Bay, Enderby Land, Antarctica; Chimwala area, Eastern Province, Zambia.

Is surinamite safe to handle?+

Surinamite contains beryllium. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.

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 Biotite, Kyanite, Sillimanite, Spinel, Quartz, Sapphirine. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does surinamite form in?+

Where it forms: In mylonitic mesoperthite gneiss, probably formed during high-pressure granulite facies metamorphism of aluminous rocks (Bakhuis Mountains, Surinam). 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.