mineral

Prasiolite

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with iron impurities

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pale green to leek-green; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: Pale green to leek-green
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified April 26, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pale green to leek-green; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed through the natural or artificial heating of amethyst or citrine in volcanic rocks and pegmatites. Natural prasiolite is extremely rare and typically results from secondary heat-induced metamorphism within a quartz vein.

Uses & applications

Primary use is in the jewelry industry for faceted gemstones, rings, and pendants. It is also used by mineral collectors as a display specimen.

Geological facts

Most prasiolite on the market is actually heat-treated amethyst. Natural occurrences are incredibly rare, first discovered in a small mine in Brazil in the 1950s.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its distinct pale green transparency and quartz-like hardness (scratches glass). Commonly found in Brazil, Namibia, and Poland. Natural specimens are identified by their specific inclusions and pale, uneven coloration.

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