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.

Hardness

8.5-9

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Reddish brown

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Carmeltazite

Hardness: 8.5-9
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Reddish brown
Transparency: Opaque

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Is this carmeltazite?

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 carmeltazite with a known reference. Carmeltazite sits at Mohs 8.5-9, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: reddish brown.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: black.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.

Often confused with

Carmeltazite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Corundum

Mohs 9

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Carmeltazite leaves reddish brown, Corundum leaves white; luster reads metallic on Carmeltazite and adamantine to vitreous; pearly on partings on Corundum.

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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: 4.122 g/cm³
Colors: Black
Streak: Reddish brown
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Prismatic crystals
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Interstitial to, or included in, skeletal corundum xenocrysts in mafic to ultramafic pyroclastic ejecta in volcanic rocks and associated alluvial placers

Where rockhounds find carmeltazite

Classic worldwide localities

Mount Carmel, Israel

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Interstitial to, or included in, skeletal corundum xenocrysts in mafic to ultramafic pyroclastic ejecta in volcanic rocks and associated alluvial placers. If you start seeing tistarite, corundum, anorthite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify carmeltazite?+

Mohs hardness is 8.5-9. Luster: metallic. The streak is reddish brown. Common colors include black.

Where is carmeltazite found?+

Notable localities include Mount Carmel, Israel.

What rocks look like carmeltazite?+

Carmeltazite is most often confused with Corundum. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with carmeltazite?+

Carmeltazite commonly co-occurs with Tistarite, Corundum, Anorthite, Osbornite, Spinel, Ca-Mg-Al-Si-O glass. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does carmeltazite form in?+

Where it forms: Interstitial to, or included in, skeletal corundum xenocrysts in mafic to ultramafic pyroclastic ejecta in volcanic rocks and associated alluvial placers. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is carmeltazite used for?+

Carmeltazite is used in collector.

Find carmeltazite on the map

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