Yellow garnet, scientifically classified as the variety Topazolite of the species Andradite, is prized by collectors for its brilliant luster and vibrant yellow to yellow-green hues. It typically forms as sharp, well-defined dodecahedral crystals in metamorphic skarn environments. Because of its rarity and exceptional dispersion, fine transparent specimens are highly sought after by gemstone enthusiasts.
Is this yellow garnet?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch yellow garnet with a known reference. Yellow Garnet sits at Mohs 6.5-7.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Yellow Garnet leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Yellow Garnet typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, honey-yellow, yellow-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: dodecahedral or trapezohedral crystals.
Often confused with
Yellow Garnet vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside yellow garnet
Minerals reported to co-occur with yellow garnet. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₃Fe₂Si₃O₁₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5-7.5
- Density
- 3.5-3.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Dodecahedral or Trapezohedral Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Gemstone, Lapidary
- Host rock
- Skarn Deposits and Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $20-100 per carat for gem quality, $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find yellow garnet
2 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Italy
- Switzerland
- USA
- Russia
- Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Look in skarn deposits and hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where yellow garnet typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, diopside, epidote in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a dodecahedral or trapezohedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Idaho, Missouri — start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find yellow garnet on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
