Davisite is an extremely rare calcium-scandium-aluminum pyroxene found almost exclusively within calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) of carbonaceous chondrite meteorites. Collectors primarily encounter this mineral as microscopic inclusions within extraterrestrial samples rather than as cabinet-sized specimens. Its identification requires advanced analytical techniques such as electron microprobe analysis due to its rarity and complex composition.
Is this davisite?
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 davisite with a known reference. Davisite sits at Mohs 6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Davisite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Davisite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: purple, violet, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: granular, prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Davisite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside davisite
Minerals reported to co-occur with davisite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaScAlSiO₆
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 3.55 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Granular, Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Good On {110}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Calcium-aluminum-rich Inclusions in CV3 Carbonaceous Chondrite Meteorites
- Typical price
- very expensive, restricted to research and high-end meteorite collections
Where rockhounds find davisite
Classic worldwide localities
- Allende meteorite (Mexico)
Field-hunting tip
Look in calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions in cv3 carbonaceous chondrite meteorites country, the host setting where davisite typically forms. If you start seeing grossular, spinel, melilite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a granular, prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find davisite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
