Capranicaite is a rare phyllosilicate mineral discovered within volcanic ejecta in the Viterbo region of Italy. It typically forms as small, thin, tabular crystals often associated with various zeolite minerals and calcite in vugs.
Is this capranicaite?
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 capranicaite with a known reference. Capranicaite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Capranicaite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Capranicaite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Capranicaite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside capranicaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with capranicaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- KCa₅Si₈O₂₀(OH)·5H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 2.42 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Volcanic Ejecta
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find capranicaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Capranica, Viterbo Province, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in volcanic ejecta country — that is the host setting where capranicaite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, phillipsite, chabazite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find capranicaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
