Eringaite is a rare chromium-bearing garnet and a member of the uvarovite series. It is typically found as small, vibrant emerald-light brown to yellow dodecahedral crystals associated with chromium-rich serpentinite environments.

Hardness

6.5-7

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

Creamy white

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareGarnet Group family

Eringaite

Hardness: 6.5-7
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: Creamy white
Transparency: Transparent

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Is this eringaite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch eringaite with a known reference. Eringaite sits at Mohs 6.5-7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: creamy white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals.

Often confused with

Eringaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Uvarovite

Mohs 6.5-7

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Eringaite leaves creamy white, Uvarovite leaves white.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Eringaite leaves creamy white, Grossular leaves white.

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Often found alongside eringaite

Minerals reported to co-occur with eringaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₃Sc₂Si₃O₁₂
Mohs hardness: 6.5-7
Density: 3.654 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow
Streak: Creamy white
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Dodecahedral crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: An accessory mineral in metasomatic rodingite-like rocks; it forms regular growth zones and irregular spots in complex garnet crystals

Where rockhounds find eringaite

Classic worldwide localities

Wiluy River, Sakha-Yakutia Republic, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: An accessory mineral in metasomatic rodingite-like rocks; it forms regular growth zones and irregular spots in complex garnet crystals. If you start seeing grossular, vesuvianite, serpentine in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify eringaite?+

Mohs hardness is 6.5-7. Luster: vitreous. The streak is creamy white. Common colors include yellow.

Where is eringaite found?+

Notable localities include Wiluy River, Sakha-Yakutia Republic, Russia.

What rocks look like eringaite?+

Eringaite is most often confused with Uvarovite, Grossular. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with eringaite?+

Eringaite commonly co-occurs with Grossular, Vesuvianite, Serpentine, Melilite-group minerals, Kimzeyite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does eringaite form in?+

Where it forms: An accessory mineral in metasomatic rodingite-like rocks; it forms regular growth zones and irregular spots in complex garnet crystals. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is eringaite used for?+

Eringaite is used in collector.

Find eringaite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.