Chladniite is an exceptionally rare phosphate mineral discovered primarily in pallasite meteorites. It typically occurs as tiny, transparent tabular crystals associated with olivine and metallic iron-nickel phases.
Is this chladniite?
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 chladniite with a known reference. Chladniite 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. Chladniite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Chladniite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-brown, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Chladniite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside chladniite
Minerals reported to co-occur with chladniite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaCaNaMg₇(PO₄)₆
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 3.37 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Pallasite Meteorites
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen size
Where rockhounds find chladniite
Classic worldwide localities
- Marjalahti meteorite, Russia
- various pallasite meteorites
Field-hunting tip
Look in pallasite meteorites country — that is the host setting where chladniite typically forms. If you start seeing olivine, troilite, kamacite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find chladniite on the map
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