Dmisteinbergite is a rare high-temperature polymorph of anorthite found in pyrometamorphic settings such as coal-fire combustion zones. It typically occurs as small, delicate, pseudo-hexagonal platy crystals often associated with other rare high-temperature calcium silicates.
Is this dmisteinbergite?
3-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 dmisteinbergite with a known reference. Dmisteinbergite sits at Mohs 6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless.
- 3Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, pseudo-hexagonal flakes.
Often confused with
Dmisteinbergite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside dmisteinbergite
Minerals reported to co-occur with dmisteinbergite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaAl₂Si₂O₈
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 2.747 g/cm³
- Colors
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals, pseudo-hexagonal flakes
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {0001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- An ultra-refractory mineral in a rounded, coarse-grained, igneous Type B2 Ca-Al-rich inclusion (CAI) in a carbonaceous chondrite meteorite, formed early as a high-temperature condensate in the solar nebula
Where rockhounds find dmisteinbergite
Classic worldwide localities
- Burned dumps, Kopeysk, Chelyabinsk Coal Basin, Ural Mountains, Russia
- Gole Larghe Fault, Adamello batholith, Italy
- Reported from the Kurumazawa quarry, Katashina, Gumma Prefecture, Japan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: An ultra-refractory mineral in a rounded, coarse-grained, igneous Type B2 Ca-Al-rich inclusion (CAI) in a carbonaceous chondrite meteorite, formed early as a high-temperature condensate in the solar nebula. If you start seeing gehlenitic melilite, al-ti-diopside, spinel in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, pseudo-hexagonal flakes. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify dmisteinbergite?+
Where is dmisteinbergite found?+
What rocks look like dmisteinbergite?+
What minerals are found with dmisteinbergite?+
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Find dmisteinbergite on the map
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