Chlorkyuygenite is a rare member of the mayenite supergroup found in high-temperature, low-pressure pyrometamorphic environments. Collectors typically find it as small, yellow to brown cubic grains associated with other calcium-aluminate minerals in calc-silicate xenoliths.
Is this chlorkyuygenite?
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 chlorkyuygenite with a known reference. Chlorkyuygenite sits at Mohs 5-5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, rarely with greenish, yellowish tint.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: equant crystals, granular.
Often confused with
Chlorkyuygenite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside chlorkyuygenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with chlorkyuygenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₁₂Al₁₄O₃₂[(H₂O)₄Cl₂]
- Mohs hardness
- 5-5.5
- Density
- 2.941 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Equant crystals, granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- An accessory mineral in Ca-humite zones of calcareous skarn xenoliths in ignimbrite, crystallized initially as chlormayenite and was altered by volcanic gases containing water vapor
Where rockhounds find chlorkyuygenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Upper Chegem Caldera, Northern Caucasus, Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: An accessory mineral in Ca-humite zones of calcareous skarn xenoliths in ignimbrite, crystallized initially as chlormayenite and was altered by volcanic gases containing water vapor. If you start seeing chegemite-fluorchegemite, reinhardbraunsite, srebrodolskite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: equant crystals, granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify chlorkyuygenite?+
Where is chlorkyuygenite found?+
What rocks look like chlorkyuygenite?+
What minerals are found with chlorkyuygenite?+
What kind of rock does chlorkyuygenite form in?+
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Find chlorkyuygenite on the map
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