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.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareWadsleyite Group family

Asimowite

Hardness: 6
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this asimowite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch asimowite with a known reference. Asimowite sits at Mohs 6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: blue, pale blue.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal 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: Fe₂SiO₄
Mohs hardness: 6
Colors: Blue Pale blue
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

Where rockhounds find asimowite

Classic worldwide localities

Tenham meteorite

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: shocked chondritic meteorites. If you start seeing ringwoodite, majorite, bridgmanite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral to subhedral inclusions. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify asimowite?+

Mohs hardness is 6. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include blue, pale blue.

Where is asimowite found?+

Notable localities include Tenham meteorite.

What rocks look like asimowite?+

Asimowite is most often confused with Wadsleyite, Ringwoodite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with asimowite?+

Asimowite commonly co-occurs with Ringwoodite, Majorite, Bridgmanite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does asimowite form in?+

Where it forms: shocked chondritic meteorites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is asimowite used for?+

Asimowite is used in collector.

Find asimowite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.