Uvarovite

Real mineral · rare · Ca₃Cr₂(SiO₄)₃

Chromium calcium garnet, the only consistently green garnet due to its chromium content. Forms in chromite-bearing ultramafic rocks. Crystals are typically too small for faceting but form spectacular drusy coatings on chromite.

Identity

Formula
Ca₃Cr₂(SiO₄)₃
Chemical class
silicate
Mineral group
Demantoid, Garnet, Grossular, Spessartine, Tsavorite

Crystallography

Crystal system
cubic
Habits
dodecahedral, massive
Fracture
conchoidal

Physical properties

Mohs hardness
7.5
Density
3.77 g/cm³
Luster
vitreous
Colors
emerald green, dark green
Streak
white
Transparency
transparent, translucent

Geology

Origins
metamorphic
Host rocks
serpentinite, chromite deposits
Associated minerals
Chromite, Serpentine, Calcite
Geography
Russia (Ural Mountains), Finland, South Africa, Canada, India

Classification

Rarity
rare
Gem quality
Yes

Arcane properties

Affinity
earth, life
Effects
healing, elemental earth
Planar origin
Material Plane

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