Uvarovite is the rarest member of the garnet group, instantly recognizable by its distinct, vibrant emerald-green color caused by its chromium content. It is most commonly found as small, brilliant, dodecahedral crystals coating a host rock as a druzy crust, rather than as large, distinct crystals.

Hardness

6.5-7.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareGarnet Group family

Uvarovite

Hardness: 6.5-7.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this uvarovite?

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 uvarovite with a known reference. Uvarovite sits at Mohs 6.5-7.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Uvarovite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Uvarovite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: emerald green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: isometric. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals, granular, massive, drusy.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Uvarovite and vitreous to adamantine on Green Garnet.

Often found alongside uvarovite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₃Cr₂(SiO₄)₃
Mohs hardness: 6.5-7.5
Density: 3.4-3.8 g/cm³
Colors: Emerald Green
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Isometric
Crystal habit: Dodecahedral Crystals, Granular, Massive, Drusy
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Lapidary
Host rock: Metamorphosed Chromite-bearing Serpentinites
Typical price: $20-200 for specimens depending on crystal size and matrix quality

Where rockhounds find uvarovite

1 mapped spots

Classic worldwide localities

Outokumpu (Finland)
Sarany (Russia)
San Benito County (USA)
Transvaal (South Africa)

Field-hunting tip

Look in metamorphosed chromite-bearing serpentinites country — that is the host setting where uvarovite typically forms. If you start seeing chromite, calcite, diopside in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a dodecahedral crystals, granular, massive, drusy habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in California — start trip planning there.

Browse 1 U.S. spots for uvarovite →

Common questions

How do you identify uvarovite?+

Mohs hardness is 6.5-7.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include emerald green.

Where is uvarovite found?+

Notable localities include Outokumpu (Finland); Sarany (Russia); San Benito County (USA); Transvaal (South Africa).

Can I find uvarovite in the United States?+

RockHoundR maps 1 uvarovite rockhounding spots across 1 U.S. states — the top states are California.

How much is uvarovite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $20-200 for specimens depending on crystal size and matrix quality. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like uvarovite?+

Uvarovite is most often confused with Grossularite Garnet, Green Garnet, Diopside. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with uvarovite?+

Uvarovite commonly co-occurs with Chromite, Calcite, Diopside, Dolomite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does uvarovite form in?+

Uvarovite typically forms in metamorphosed chromite-bearing serpentinites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is uvarovite used for?+

Uvarovite is used in collector, lapidary.

Find uvarovite on the map

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