Darrellhenryite is an extremely rare member of the tourmaline group, chemically distinct as a lithium-aluminum rich species. It typically occurs as small, pale pink prismatic crystals within highly fractionated granitic pegmatites. Collectors primarily find it as a microscopic or thumbnail-sized rarity alongside other lepidolite-bearing pegmatite assemblages.
Is this darrellhenryite?
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 darrellhenryite with a known reference. Darrellhenryite sits at Mohs 7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Darrellhenryite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Darrellhenryite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pink, pale pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Darrellhenryite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside darrellhenryite
Minerals reported to co-occur with darrellhenryite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaLiAl₆(BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(OH)₃O
- Mohs hardness
- 7
- Density
- 3.12 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen quality
Where rockhounds find darrellhenryite
Classic worldwide localities
- Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country, the host setting where darrellhenryite typically forms. If you start seeing albite, lepidolite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find darrellhenryite on the map
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