Gemstone profile and identification guide
Epidote
Epidote is a monoclinic sorosilicate mineral with green coloration and occasional facetable transparency.
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Overview
Epidote is a monoclinic sorosilicate mineral with green coloration and occasional facetable transparency.
Did you know? Epidote is a common alteration mineral in regionally metamorphosed rocks.
Use this profile as a collector reference and educational guide for quick on-page comparison, then validate with the interactive identification system.
Identification
Name: Epidote
Scientific classification: Silicate (Epidote Group: Epidote)
Hardness: 6.5 Mohs
Transparency: translucent
Lustre: vitreous
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Primary colour: Green
Secondary colour: Yellow Green
Colour family: Greens
Pleochroism, monoclinic optics, and epidote-group chemistry are the key diagnostics.
Verification Status
Status: verified-core-fields
Reference priority: GIA, Gem-A, Mindat, International Gem Society
Core identity, locality, and physical-property fields reviewed against standard gemological references.
Values are reported as practical gemological ranges where appropriate.
Physical Properties
Hardness category: hard
Hardness value: 6.5 Mohs
Chemical composition: Calcium aluminum iron sorosilicate [Ca2(Al,Fe)3(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)]
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Common locations: Austria, Pakistan, Mexico, Norway, United States
Learn more: Gem-A gemstone education resources.
Colour Variations
Typically pistachio-green to yellow-green, usually with strong pleochroic tendencies in transparent material.
Optical effects: Pleochroism
Detailed Gemology
Mineral species: Epidote
Mineral group: Epidote group
Chemical formula: Calcium aluminum iron sorosilicate [Ca2(Al,Fe)3(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)]
Mohs hardness: 6.5
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Lustre: vitreous
Transparency: translucent
Streak: Grey
Cleavage: Perfect in one direction
Fracture: Uneven
Specific gravity: 3.3-3.5
Refractive index: 1.72-1.77
Optical phenomena: Pleochroism
Colour range: Yellow-green to dark green
Common inclusions: Needles, fractures, associated metamorphic minerals
Geological environment: Metamorphic and hydrothermal alteration environments
Principal mining regions: Austria, Pakistan, Mexico, Norway, United States
Important commercial sources: Facetable epidote is uncommon but sourced from metamorphic terrains in Pakistan and classic Alpine and global localities
Historical significance: Important mineral in petrology and collector markets.
Common treatments: Generally untreated.
Synthetic or imitation forms: No significant synthetic gem market.
Common look-alikes: Chrome diopside, peridot, idocrase
Jewellery uses: Used in collector specimens and occasional faceted stones.
Care recommendations: Moderate hardness but cleavage requires care; avoid impact and aggressive cleaning.
Cross-check profile data with GIA Gem Encyclopedia and Mindat entry for Epidote.
Formation
Forms in metamorphic and hydrothermal alteration settings, especially in calcium-rich rocks.
Origin
Facetable epidote is uncommon but sourced from metamorphic terrains in Pakistan and classic Alpine and global localities
Uses
Best for: Used in collector specimens and occasional faceted stones.
Ideal uses: Collector gems and protected jewellery settings.
Care
Moderate hardness but cleavage requires care; avoid impact and aggressive cleaning.
Need another candidate? Use advanced gemstone search or return to the identification guide.
Related gemstones by colour
Related gemstones by hardness
Commonly confused gemstones
Epidote FAQ
How can I identify Epidote?
Compare hardness (6.5 Mohs), crystal system (Monoclinic), colour profile, and lustre (vitreous) with your sample. Then cross-check related gemstones listed above.
What colour range does Epidote appear in?
Typically pistachio-green to yellow-green, usually with strong pleochroic tendencies in transparent material.
Where is Epidote commonly used?
Collector gems and protected jewellery settings.. For maintenance, follow the care guidance in this profile.
Scientific References
GIA: general gemstone identity (reviewed) - Batch 04 factual verification pass.
Gem-A: gemological terminology and testing references (reviewed) - Batch 04 factual verification pass.
Mindat: mineral species and principal localities (reviewed) - Batch 04 factual verification pass.
International Gem Society: gem trade context and treatment overview (reviewed) - Batch 04 factual verification pass.