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, 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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