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