Chantalite is a very rare calcium aluminum silicate found primarily in skarn deposits. It is most commonly identified by its colorless, glassy, short prismatic crystals associated with other calcium-rich minerals in the Dal'negorsk mining region.
Is this chantalite?
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 chantalite with a known reference. Chantalite 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. Chantalite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Chantalite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: equant to short prismatic crystals, often as crusts or granular aggregates.
Often confused with
Chantalite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside chantalite
Minerals reported to co-occur with chantalite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaAl₂(SiO₄)(OH)₄
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 2.81 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Equant to Short Prismatic Crystals, Often as Crusts or Granular Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Skarn Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find chantalite
Classic worldwide localities
- Dal'negorsk, Primorsky Krai, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in skarn deposits country — that is the host setting where chantalite typically forms. If you start seeing datolite, calcite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a equant to short prismatic crystals, often as crusts or granular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find chantalite on the map
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