Akimotoite is a high-pressure polymorph of enstatite that forms only under the extreme conditions of planetary collisions. It is found exclusively in shock-metamorphosed meteorites as microscopic inclusions associated with other high-pressure silicate minerals. Its identification requires advanced X-ray diffraction or microprobe analysis due to its rarity and lack of macro-scale crystal development.
Is this akimotoite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch akimotoite with a known reference. Akimotoite sits at Mohs 7-8 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Akimotoite leaves a brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Akimotoite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark brown, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: microscopic grains.
Often confused with
Akimotoite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Akimotoite is noticeably harder (Mohs 7-8 vs. 5-6); streak differs — Akimotoite leaves brown, Enstatite leaves white; luster reads submetallic on Akimotoite and vitreous on Enstatite.
How to tell apart: Akimotoite is noticeably harder (Mohs 7-8 vs. 5-6); streak differs — Akimotoite leaves brown, Manaccanite leaves black.
Often found alongside akimotoite
Minerals reported to co-occur with akimotoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- MgSiO₃
- Mohs hardness
- 7-8
- Density
- 4.67 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brown
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Shock-metamorphosed Meteorites
- Typical price
- very expensive, strictly restricted to research and high-end meteorite collections
Where rockhounds find akimotoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tenham meteorite (Australia)
- Suizhou meteorite (China)
- Umbala meteorite (India)
Field-hunting tip
Look in shock-metamorphosed meteorites country — that is the host setting where akimotoite typically forms. If you start seeing bridgmanite, ringwoodite, wadsleyite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a microscopic grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify akimotoite?+
Where is akimotoite found?+
How much is akimotoite worth?+
What rocks look like akimotoite?+
What minerals are found with akimotoite?+
What kind of rock does akimotoite form in?+
What is akimotoite used for?+
Find akimotoite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
