Uvite is a calcium-rich member of the tourmaline group, typically forming short, stout prismatic crystals in metamorphosed carbonate rocks. Collectors look for its distinctive trigonal cross-section and its tendency to be associated with contact-metamorphic minerals like diopside and calcite.

Hardness

7-7.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineraluncommonTourmaline Group family

Uvite

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

Is this uvite?

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 uvite with a known reference. Uvite 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. Uvite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Uvite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: brown, green, yellow, black, colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: short prismatic to trigonal crystals with rounded triangular cross-sections, sometimes showing massive or granular forms..

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside uvite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: CaMg₃(Al₅Mg)(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃F
Mohs hardness: 7-7.5
Density: 3.02-3.06 g/cm³
Colors: Brown Green Yellow Black Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Short Prismatic to Trigonal Crystals with Rounded Triangular Cross-sections, Sometimes Showing Massive or Granular Forms.
Cleavage: Indistinct
Rarity: Uncommon
Uses: Collector, Gemstone, Lapidary
Host rock: Metamorphosed Limestone and Dolomite Marbles
Typical price: $10-100 for small crystals, $200+ for large gem-quality specimens

Where rockhounds find uvite

Classic worldwide localities

Gouverneur, New York, USA
Brumado, Bahia, Brazil
Sri Lanka
Madagascar
Pakistan

Field-hunting tip

Look in metamorphosed limestone and dolomite marbles country, the host setting where uvite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, diopside, tremolite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a short prismatic to trigonal crystals with rounded triangular cross-sections, sometimes showing massive or granular forms. habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify uvite?+

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

Where is uvite found?+

Notable localities include Gouverneur, New York, USA; Brumado, Bahia, Brazil; Sri Lanka; Madagascar; Pakistan.

How much is uvite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $10-100 for small crystals, $200+ for large gem-quality specimens. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like uvite?+

Uvite is most often confused with Dravite, Schorl, Vesuvianite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with uvite?+

Uvite commonly co-occurs with Calcite, Diopside, Tremolite, Phlogopite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does uvite form in?+

Uvite typically forms in metamorphosed limestone and dolomite marbles. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is uvite used for?+

Uvite is used in collector, gemstone, lapidary.

Find uvite on the map

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