Charleshatchettite is a rare calcium niobium hydroxide that forms white globules. Associated minerals include albite, quartz and muscovite. It was first described from the Poudrette Quarry, Montérégie (formerly Rouville County), Québec, Canada.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Silky

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent to translucent

mineralrareTundrite Group family

Charleshatchettite

Hardness: ~4
Luster: Silky
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent to translucent

No image

Is this charleshatchettite?

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 charleshatchettite with a known reference. Charleshatchettite sits at Mohs ~4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: silky.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: globules.

Often found alongside charleshatchettite

Minerals reported to co-occur with charleshatchettite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: CaNb₄O₁₀(OH)₂·8H₂O
Mohs hardness: ~4
Density: 2.878 g/cm³
Colors: White
Streak: White
Luster: Silky
Transparency: Transparent to translucent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Globules
Cleavage: {100}, perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: A late-stage mineral, probably developed from a niobium-rich precursor on a fracture surface in fine-grained nepheline syenite

Where rockhounds find charleshatchettite

Classic worldwide localities

Found in the Poudrette Quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, La Vallée-du-Richelieu, Montérégie (formerly Rouville County), Québec, Canada

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: A late-stage mineral, probably developed from a niobium-rich precursor on a fracture surface in fine-grained nepheline syenite. If you start seeing albite, quartz, muscovite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: globules. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify charleshatchettite?+

Mohs hardness is ~4. Luster: silky. The streak is white. Common colors include white.

Where is charleshatchettite found?+

Notable localities include Found in the Poudrette Quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, La Vallée-du-Richelieu, Montérégie (formerly Rouville County), Québec, Canada.

What minerals are found with charleshatchettite?+

Charleshatchettite commonly co-occurs with Albite, Quartz, Muscovite, Pyrrhotite, Pyrite, Ancylite-. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does charleshatchettite form in?+

Where it forms: A late-stage mineral, probably developed from a niobium-rich precursor on a fracture surface in fine-grained nepheline syenite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is charleshatchettite used for?+

Charleshatchettite is used in collector.

Find charleshatchettite on the map

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