Epidote

Description

Epidote has a hardness of 6-7 and a specific gravity of 3.38-3.49. It was “named in 1801 by Rene Just Haüy from the Greek επιδοσιζ (“epidosis”), meaning “increase”, in allusion to the crystal characteristic of one longer side at the base of the prism,” according to Mindat.

According to Wikipedia, “Epidote is an abundant rock-forming mineral, but one of secondary origin. It occurs in marble and schistose rocks of metamorphic origin. It is also a product of hydrothermal alteration of various minerals (feldspars, micas, pyroxenes, amphiboles, garnets, and others) composing igneous rocks.”

While Epidote may be one of the most common gems, with 10,178 recorded significant localities on Mindat, not all Epidote gems look like this! While you can add this one to your collection, you can also go out for a hike and keep your eye out for something like this and you might just get lucky!