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, 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.