Allendeite is a rare scandium-rich mineral found exclusively within the refractory inclusions of the Allende meteorite. It typically occurs as microscopic anhedral grains associated with other rare refractory minerals in extraterrestrial materials.
Is this allendeite?
2-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 allendeite with a known reference. Allendeite sits at Mohs 5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: inclusions, microscopic crystals.
Often confused with
Allendeite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside allendeite
Minerals reported to co-occur with allendeite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Sc₄Zr₃O₁₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 4.84 g/cm³
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Inclusions, microscopic crystals
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- As grains in an ovoid-shaped, ultra-refractory inclusion in the Allende meteorite, likely a high-temperature condensate early in the formation of the solar system
Where rockhounds find allendeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Allende meteorite, Pueblito de Allende, Chihuahua, Mexico (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: As grains in an ovoid-shaped, ultra-refractory inclusion in the Allende meteorite, likely a high-temperature condensate early in the formation of the solar system. If you start seeing perovskite, os-ir-mo-w alloys, sc-stabilized tazheranite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: inclusions, microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify allendeite?+
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Find allendeite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
