Carmeltazite is an incredibly rare mineral discovered in the Cretaceous volcanic rocks of Mount Carmel, Israel. It is known for its extreme hardness and unique chemical composition involving zirconium, aluminum, and titanium, often occurring as small inclusions within larger sapphire or corundum grains.
Is this carmeltazite?
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 carmeltazite with a known reference. Carmeltazite sits at Mohs 8.5-9 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Carmeltazite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Carmeltazite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, blue, green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Carmeltazite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside carmeltazite
Minerals reported to co-occur with carmeltazite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- ZrAl₂Ti₄O₁₁
- Mohs hardness
- 8.5-9
- Density
- 4.12 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Cretaceous Volcanic Scoria
- Typical price
- Extremely high for verified material
Where rockhounds find carmeltazite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mount Carmel, Israel
Field-hunting tip
Look in cretaceous volcanic scoria country — that is the host setting where carmeltazite typically forms. If you start seeing sapphirine, hibonite, moissanite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find carmeltazite on the map
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