Chiavennite is a rare beryllium-bearing zeolite mineral that typically forms prismatic, radiating crystal sprays. It is most commonly identified in hydrothermal veins or cavities within alkaline igneous rocks and is highly sought after by mineral collectors specializing in rare species.
Is this chiavennite?
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 chiavennite with a known reference. Chiavennite sits at Mohs 5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Chiavennite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Chiavennite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-orange, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Chiavennite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside chiavennite
Minerals reported to co-occur with chiavennite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaMnBe₂(Si₅O₁₃)(OH)₂·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 2.41 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Pegmatites, Alkaline Intrusive Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find chiavennite
Classic worldwide localities
- Chiavenna, Italy
- Piz Nair, Switzerland
- Steiermark, Austria
Field-hunting tip
Look in pegmatites, alkaline intrusive rocks country — that is the host setting where chiavennite typically forms. If you start seeing tugtupite, manganneptunite, genthelvite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify chiavennite?+
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What rocks look like chiavennite?+
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Find chiavennite on the map
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