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 — that is 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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