Comparison · Minerals
Andradite vs Epidote
Andradite and Epidote are easy to confuse because both are minerals. Both sit near Mohs 6.5–7, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Andradite and Epidote
- Both sit near Mohs 6.5–7, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Streak color differs: Andradite leaves a white streak on unglazed porcelain, Epidote leaves white to grayish.
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Andradite is Transparent to translucent, Epidote is Transparent to opaque.
- They overlap in green, yellow, and black, but Andradite also comes in brown.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Andradite is Cubic, Epidote is Monoclinic.
Andradite vs Epidote properties
| Property | Andradite | Epidote |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 6.5–7 | 6–7 |
| Luster | Vitreous to resinous/adamantine | Vitreous |
| Streak | White | White to grayish |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | Transparent to opaque |
| Specific gravity | 3.8–3.9 | 3.3–3.5 |
| Crystal system | Cubic | Monoclinic |
| Common colors | Yellow-green (demantoid), Brown, Black (melanite), Yellow | Pistachio green, Yellowish green, Dark green, Black |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $2–$150+ |
Which is more valuable?
Typical specimens of Andradite and Epidote trade in a similar range, around $20.
About Andradite
Andradite is a calcium-iron garnet, Ca3Fe2(SiO4)3, one of six species making up the isomorphous garnet group. It occurs in shades of yellow-green, brown, and black depending on trace elements, and includes the gem varieties demantoid, colored green by chromium, and topazolite, a golden-yellow form. Its isometric habit and high refractive index give faceted stones exceptional fire, occasionally surpassing that of diamond.
About Epidote
Epidote is a calcium aluminum iron sorosilicate with the approximate formula Ca2Al2(Fe3+,Al)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH), instantly recognizable to many collectors by its distinctive pistachio-green color. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system, typically as elongated, striated prismatic crystals. The color and composition vary with the ratio of iron to aluminum, grading toward the related mineral clinozoisite as iron decreases.
Andradite vs Epidote FAQ
Is Andradite the same as Epidote?
No. Both are minerals, but they are distinct species with different hardness, streak or luster. Both sit near Mohs 6.5–7, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Andradite from Epidote?
Both sit near Mohs 6.5–7, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Streak color differs: Andradite leaves a white streak on unglazed porcelain, Epidote leaves white to grayish. Hold a thin edge to the light: Andradite is Transparent to translucent, Epidote is Transparent to opaque.
Which is harder, Andradite or Epidote?
They are about equally hard, both near Mohs 6.5–7.
Which is more valuable, Andradite or Epidote?
Typical specimens of Andradite and Epidote trade in a similar range, around $20.
