Donwilhelmsite is a rare high-pressure mineral discovered in lunar meteorites that formed during impact events on the Moon. It is a structural polymorph of anorthite and typically occurs as microscopic inclusions within impact-melted breccias.
Often confused with
Donwilhelmsite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside donwilhelmsite
Minerals reported to co-occur with donwilhelmsite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaAl₄Si₂O₁₁
- Density
- 3.905 g/cm³
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral grains
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Scientific research
- Host rock
- In shock melt pockets of roughly anorthitic bulk composition in a feldspatic lunar meteorite
Where rockhounds find donwilhelmsite
Classic worldwide localities
- Dhofar 025 meteorite
- Lunar meteorites
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In shock melt pockets of roughly anorthitic bulk composition in a feldspatic lunar meteorite. If you start seeing ca-rich plagioclase, olivine, pyroxene in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
Where is donwilhelmsite found?+
What rocks look like donwilhelmsite?+
What minerals are found with donwilhelmsite?+
What kind of rock does donwilhelmsite form in?+
What is donwilhelmsite used for?+
Find donwilhelmsite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
