Quality Epidote specimens are highly valued among collectors, considered mineral classics and well represented in the finest collections. Its color is green, but the various shades of green have been described as yellow-green, brownish-green, greenish-black, and my favorite, pistachio-green. It exhibits a vitreous to resinous luster. Although high-quality crystals of this colorful mineral are occasionally faceted for the gem/jewelry trade, it is primarily a collectors mineral. It is associated and paired with numerous minerals, including Quartz, Prehnite, Calcite, Albite and Magnetite.

The crystal system for Epidote is Monoclinic, typically forming long slender prismatic crystals as well as thick tabular crystals. Other forms include reticulated, acicular, radiating, in fan-shaped and “wheat sheaf” crystal groups, in long, slender interconnected crystal clusters, microcrystalline crusts and massive.

Epidote is found in numerous locations worldwide. Notable localities include Austria, China, Mexico, Morocco, Namibia, Pakistan and the USA (Alaska).