Richterite

Amphibole

By Tim Matthews, JD, FGA, GG, DGA,
CEO and President of JTV (retired)
Published: June 2014
Modified: February 2022
Richterite Polished Richterite Rough

Richterite is a member of the amphibole group of minerals, named after German chemist Hieronymus Richter. Typically, richterite is near colorless to brown. If richterite is dominantly composed of potassium, it can be blue. In South Africa, it is associated with another blue mineral of similar chemical composition, sugilite.

General Information

Common Name
Richterite
Species
Amphibole
Transparency
Transparent - Opaque
Dispersion
Strength: Strong Fire
Refractive Index
1.615-1.636
Birefringence
0.021
Optic Character
Biaxial
Optic Sign
Negative
Polariscope Reaction
Aggregate (AGG), Doubly Refractive (DR)
Pleochroism
Trichroic, strong, varying shades of body color
Hardness
5-6
Streak
white
Specific Gravity
2.970-3.450 Typical:3.100
Toughness
Poor
Luster
Vitreous, Dull
Fracture
Conchoidal, Uneven
Cleavage
Perfect, in one direction
Chemical Name
sodium calcium magnesium iron silicate hydroxide
Chemical Formula
Na2Ca(Mg, Fe, Al)5(Si, Al)8O22(OH,F)2
Crystal System
Monoclinic
Chemistry Classification
Silicate

Richterite Colors

  • Blue Richterite
    Blue
  • Brown Richterite
    Brown
  • Gray Richterite
    Gray
  • Green Richterite
    Green
  • Red Richterite
    Red
  • Yellow Richterite
    Yellow

Countries of Origin

Myanmar; Afghanistan; Russian Federation; Angola; United States of America; Madagascar; Kazakhstan; Paraguay; Oman; Austria; Sweden; Unknown; Malawi; China; Brazil; Poland; Slovakia; France; Japan; Kenya; Switzerland; India; Spain; New Zealand; Canada; Turkey; Norway; Namibia; Finland; Denmark; Italy; Uganda; Antarctica; Australia; Germany; Indonesia; Yemen