Mineral/Metamorphic rock

Epidote with Quartz/Feldspar

Epidote (Ca2(Al, Fe)3(SiO4)3(OH)) with associated minerals in a host rock

Pistachio green to dark green color, often massive or granular in river-tumbled stones. Hardness 6-7 on Mohs scale. Vitreous luster. Usually opaque in massive form.

Identified June 4, 2026More mineral/metamorphic rock →

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Physical properties

Pistachio green to dark green color, often massive or granular in river-tumbled stones. Hardness 6-7 on Mohs scale. Vitreous luster. Usually opaque in massive form.

Formation & geological history

Commonly forms in regionally metamorphosed rocks, hydrothermal alteration of igneous rocks (especially basalts), or contact metamorphism.

Uses & applications

A common mineral favored by collectors. High-quality transparent crystals are occasionally faceted as gemstones, but massive forms like this are typically collected as tumbled stones or lapidary rough.

Geological facts

Also known in a rock form as Epidosite (when primarily epidote and quartz) or Unakite (when combined with pink orthoclase feldspar and quartz).

Field identification & locations

Can be identified by its distinctive yellowish-green to deep green 'pistachio' color. Commonly found in riverbeds in areas of metamorphic or altered igneous rocks. Used as a semi-precious stone when tumbled.

Other mineral/metamorphic rock specimens

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Aventurine (likely Green Aventurine)

Aventurine (a variety of quartz, SiO₂, with common inclusions of fuchsite)

Mineral/Metamorphic Rock

Green Aventurine (Green Quartz)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with inclusions of Fuchsite (K(Al,Cr)2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2)

Mineral/Metamorphic rock

Jade

Jade can refer to two distinct minerals: Nephrite (a variety of the mineral actinolite, Ca2(Mg,Fe)5Si8O22(OH)2) and Jadeite (Na(Al,Fe3+)Si2O6). Based on the image, showing a relatively uniform green color and possibly slight translucence in bead form, it is very likely one of these, but determining which one from a photo is difficult without specific testing.

Mineral/Metamorphic Rock (Nephrite or Jadeite)

Nephrite Jade

Nephrite

Mineral/Rock

Amphibolite

metamorphic

Epidote

Epidote ({Ca2}{Al2Fe3+}(Si2O7)(SiO4)O(OH))

mineral