Chihuahuaite is a rare iron aluminum oxide. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2009, from material found in Mexico (meteorite).

Hardness

7-7.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareGarnet Group family

Chihuahuaite

Chihuahuaite is a rare iron aluminum oxide. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2009, from material found in Mexico (meteorite).

Hardness: 7-7.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this chihuahuaite?

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 chihuahuaite with a known reference. Chihuahuaite sits at Mohs 7-7.5, 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: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, yellow-green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals.

Often confused with

Chihuahuaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Andradite

Mohs 6.5-7

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Chihuahuaite and adamantine to resinous, dull on Andradite.

Often found alongside chihuahuaite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: FeAl₁₂O₁₉
Mohs hardness: 7-7.5
Density: 3.59 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Yellow-green
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Dodecahedral crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: skarn deposits

Where rockhounds find chihuahuaite

Classic worldwide localities

Chihuahua, Mexico

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: skarn deposits. If you start seeing calcite, diopside, vesuvianite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify chihuahuaite?+

Mohs hardness is 7-7.5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include yellow, yellow-green.

Where is chihuahuaite found?+

Notable localities include Chihuahua, Mexico.

What rocks look like chihuahuaite?+

Chihuahuaite is most often confused with Andradite, Grossular. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with chihuahuaite?+

Chihuahuaite commonly co-occurs with Calcite, Diopside, Vesuvianite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does chihuahuaite form in?+

Where it forms: skarn deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is chihuahuaite used for?+

Chihuahuaite is used in collector.

Find chihuahuaite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.