Dozyite is a rare phyllosilicate mineral that is structurally related to both serpentine and chlorite. It is typically found as small, thin, pearly white plates within hydrothermal deposits associated with coal seams.
Is this dozyite?
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 dozyite with a known reference. Dozyite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Dozyite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Dozyite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, pale gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals.
Often confused with
Dozyite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside dozyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with dozyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mg₇Al₄Si₄O₁₈(OH)₁₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.5-2.6 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins in Coal-bearing Sedimentary Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find dozyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Dozy coal mine, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins in coal-bearing sedimentary rocks country — that is the host setting where dozyite typically forms. If you start seeing dolomite, kaolinite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.





