Chabazite is a common zeolite mineral recognized by its distinctive, nearly cubic rhombohedral crystal forms. Collectors typically find it lining vesicles or cavities within basaltic igneous rocks where it often forms beautiful, clear to translucent clusters alongside other zeolites.
Is this chabazite?
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 chabazite with a known reference. Chabazite sits at Mohs 4-5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Chabazite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Chabazite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, pink, yellow, brown, red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: rhombohedral crystals.
Often confused with
Chabazite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside chabazite
Minerals reported to co-occur with chabazite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ca,Na₂,K₂)Al₂Si₄O₁₂·6H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 2.05-2.15 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Rhombohedral Crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {1011}
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Geological Research
- Host rock
- Basaltic Volcanic Cavities
- Typical price
- $10-100 per specimen depending on size and crystal clarity
Where rockhounds find chabazite
5 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Iceland
- Faroe Islands
- Bay of Fundy, Canada
- Victoria, Australia
- New Jersey, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in basaltic volcanic cavities country — that is the host setting where chabazite typically forms. If you start seeing heulandite, stilbite, thomsonite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a rhombohedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Pennsylvania, Idaho, Utah — start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find chabazite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
