Clintonite is a brittle mica found primarily in contact-metamorphosed limestones and skarns. It typically forms tabular, six-sided crystals that appear more rigid and less flexible than other common micas.

Hardness

3.5-6

Mohs

Luster

Pearly

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineraluncommonMica Group family

Clintonite

Hardness: 3.5-6
Luster: Pearly
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this clintonite?

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 clintonite with a known reference. Clintonite sits at Mohs 3.5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Clintonite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Clintonite typically shows a pearly luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellowish-white, reddish-brown, greenish, brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, micaceous masses, foliated aggregates.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside clintonite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca(Mg,Al)₃(Al₃Si)O₁₀(OH)₂
Mohs hardness: 3.5-6
Density: 3.0-3.1 g/cm³
Colors: Yellowish-white Reddish-brown Greenish Brown
Streak: White
Luster: Pearly
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals, Micaceous Masses, Foliated Aggregates
Cleavage: Perfect Basal
Rarity: Uncommon
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Metamorphosed Limestones and Skarns
Typical price: $10-60 per specimen

Where rockhounds find clintonite

Classic worldwide localities

Amity, New York, USA
Zlatoust, Ural Mountains, Russia
Predazzo, Italy
Kukurt, Tajikistan

Field-hunting tip

Look in metamorphosed limestones and skarns country, the host setting where clintonite typically forms. If you start seeing spinel, calcite, chondrodite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, micaceous masses, foliated aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify clintonite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5-6. It typically shows a pearly luster. The streak is white. Common colors include yellowish-white, reddish-brown, greenish, brown.

Where is clintonite found?+

Notable localities include Amity, New York, USA; Zlatoust, Ural Mountains, Russia; Predazzo, Italy; Kukurt, Tajikistan.

How much is clintonite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $10-60 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like clintonite?+

Clintonite is most often confused with Biotite, Muscovite, Phlogopite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with clintonite?+

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

What kind of rock does clintonite form in?+

Clintonite typically forms in metamorphosed limestones and skarns. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is clintonite used for?+

Clintonite is used in collector.

Find clintonite on the map

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