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, 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.
More yellow garnet photos
Common questions
How do you identify yellow garnet?+
Where is yellow garnet found?+
Can I find yellow garnet in the United States?+
How much is yellow garnet worth?+
What rocks look like yellow garnet?+
What minerals are found with yellow garnet?+
What kind of rock does yellow garnet form in?+
What is yellow garnet used for?+
Find yellow garnet on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
