Asimowite is a rare high-pressure silicate mineral identified almost exclusively in shocked meteorites. It typically occurs as microscopic inclusions within the vein material of meteorite specimens and requires specialized laboratory equipment for positive identification.
Is this asimowite?
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 asimowite with a known reference. Asimowite sits at Mohs 6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Asimowite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Asimowite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, pale blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: anhedral to subhedral inclusions.
Often confused with
Asimowite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside asimowite
Minerals reported to co-occur with asimowite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe₂Si₂O₆
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 3.84 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral to Subhedral Inclusions
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Shocked Chondritic Meteorites
- Typical price
- very expensive, strictly for advanced collectors
Where rockhounds find asimowite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tenham meteorite
Field-hunting tip
Look in shocked chondritic meteorites country — that is the host setting where asimowite typically forms. If you start seeing ringwoodite, majorite, bridgmanite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral to subhedral inclusions habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify asimowite?+
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How much is asimowite worth?+
What rocks look like asimowite?+
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Find asimowite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
