Identification guide · Gemstones
How to Identify Ammolite
Ammolite is variable in color with a vitreous luster and is translucent. It has a Mohs hardness of 7. It scratches glass and a steel knife and cannot be scratched by a steel file. It is most often confused with Feldspar, Quartz, and Obsidian; the tests below separate them.
Ammolite identification checklist
| Luster | Vitreous | Fresh surfaces shine like glass; a dull surface usually means weathering, so chip or wet a corner. |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency | Translucent | Hold a thin edge up to a bright light and note whether light passes through. |
| Mohs hardness | 7 | It scratches glass and a steel knife and cannot be scratched by a steel file. |
| Fracture | Uneven to conchoidal | Broken surfaces show smooth, curved, shell-like scoops. |
| Specific gravity | 3 | Ordinary rock-like heft (specific gravity about 3), similar to quartz. |
Extra tests for Ammolite
Glass check. Ammolite shares a glassy luster and conchoidal fracture with man-made glass. Glass sits near Mohs 5.5 and often contains round gas bubbles, so a hardness test and a hand lens separate them.
Ammolite look-alikes and how to tell them apart
Both sit near Mohs 7, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Ammolite vs Feldspar →
Both sit near Mohs 7, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Ammolite vs Quartz →
Ammolite is harder (Mohs 7) than Obsidian (Mohs 5.5), so Ammolite will scratch Obsidian and not the other way round. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will. Ammolite vs Obsidian →
Ammolite is harder (Mohs 7) than Rainbow Obsidian (Mohs 5.5), so Ammolite will scratch Rainbow Obsidian and not the other way round. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will.
Is my Ammolite real?
- Hardness: real Ammolite sits at Mohs 7. Glass imitations are about 5.5, so genuine Ammolite scratches glass while a glass fake cannot.
- Bubbles: round gas bubbles under a 10x loupe mean glass or resin, never a natural stone.
- Color: dyed material concentrates color in cracks and pores; look for pigment collecting at the edges of fractures.
- Temperature: natural crystals feel cool and take longer to warm in your hand than plastic or resin.
Ammolite identification FAQ
How can you tell if a rock is Ammolite?
Check the color (variable), the vitreous luster, a Mohs hardness of 7. Photographing it with the StoneSnap app gives a match in seconds.
What is the hardness of Ammolite?
Ammolite has a Mohs hardness of 7. It scratches glass and a steel knife and cannot be scratched by a steel file.
What is the difference between Ammolite and Feldspar?
Ammolite (Mohs 7, vitreous luster) and Feldspar (Mohs 6–6.5, vitreous to pearly luster) look alike, but hardness, streak and heft usually separate them. See the full Ammolite vs Feldspar comparison for a side-by-side table.
How do I know if my Ammolite is real?
Real Ammolite matches the hardness listed above, shows no round gas bubbles under magnification, and does not concentrate dye in cracks. Glass and resin fakes fail at least one of those checks.
Is Ammolite worth anything?
Entry-level Ammolite specimens sell for around $10, typical collector pieces about $75, and premium examples $500 or more depending on size, quality and locality.
What color is Ammolite?
Ammolite is most often . Color varies with impurities and locality, so confirm with hardness and luster rather than color alone.
