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 — that is 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.