Dalyite is a rare potassium-zirconium silicate mineral typically found in peralkaline igneous complexes. It usually appears as small, colorless, or pale yellow tabular crystals embedded in alkaline rocks like granite or syenite. Collectors prize it for its unique chemistry and strictly defined geological occurrence in specialized volcanic environments.
Is this dalyite?
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 dalyite with a known reference. Dalyite sits at Mohs 7-7.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Dalyite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Dalyite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, subhedral grains.
Often confused with
Dalyite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside dalyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with dalyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K₂ZrSi₆O₁₅
- Mohs hardness
- 7-7.5
- Density
- 2.83 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Subhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks, Specifically Peralkaline Granites and Syenites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find dalyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Ascension Island
- Canada
- Greenland
- Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks, specifically peralkaline granites and syenites country — that is the host setting where dalyite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, aegirine, arfvedsonite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, subhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify dalyite?+
Where is dalyite found?+
How much is dalyite worth?+
What rocks look like dalyite?+
What minerals are found with dalyite?+
What kind of rock does dalyite form in?+
What is dalyite used for?+
Find dalyite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
