Dinite is a rare organic mineral that occurs as pale yellow massive material. It occurs in bituminous fossil wood in unconsolidated river sediment. It was first described from Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, Serchio Valley, Tuscany, Italy.
Is this dinite?
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 dinite with a known reference. Dinite sits at Mohs 1, 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: “Icy”.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, yellowish white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: cryptocrystalline, massive.
Often confused with
Dinite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Forsterite is the harder of the two (Mohs 7 vs. 1); luster reads “icy” on Dinite and vitreous on Forsterite.
How to tell apart: Fayalite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 1); luster reads “icy” on Dinite and vitreous to resinous on fractures on Fayalite.
How to tell apart: Peridot is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 1); streak differs, so Dinite leaves white, Peridot leaves colorless; luster reads “icy” on Dinite and vitreous on Peridot.
Often found alongside dinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with dinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- C₂₀H₃₆
- Mohs hardness
- 1
- Density
- 1.01 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- “Icy”
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Cryptocrystalline, massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- In bituminous fossil wood in unconsolidated river sediment
Where rockhounds find dinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, Serchio Valley, Tuscany, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In bituminous fossil wood in unconsolidated river sediment. If you start seeing chromite, serpentine, enstatite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: cryptocrystalline, massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find dinite on the map
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