Darapiosite is a rare member of the milarite group primarily found in the Cerro Pintados region of Chile. It typically occurs as small, transparent to translucent prismatic crystals within hydrothermal veins cutting through rhyolitic rocks. Its scarcity makes it a sought-after addition for specialized mineral collectors focused on rare silicates.
Is this darapiosite?
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 darapiosite with a known reference. Darapiosite sits at Mohs 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, blue, brown, brownish white, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Darapiosite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside darapiosite
Minerals reported to co-occur with darapiosite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- KNa₂Mn₂(Li₂ZnSi₁₂)O₃₀
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 2.92 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In glacial moraine derived from an alkalic massif
Where rockhounds find darapiosite
Classic worldwide localities
- Dara-i-Pioz massif, Alai Range, Tien Shan, Tajikistan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In glacial moraine derived from an alkalic massif. If you start seeing aegirine, quartz, sogdianite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify darapiosite?+
Where is darapiosite found?+
What rocks look like darapiosite?+
What minerals are found with darapiosite?+
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Find darapiosite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
