Escheite is a rare calcium sodium manganese silicate. It occurs in phonolite. It was first described from Ariskop quarry, Windhoek district, Namibia.
Hardness
4
Mohs
Luster
Vitreous
Transparency
Translucent
Is this escheite?
4-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 escheite with a known reference. Escheite sits at Mohs 4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 3Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pink, red, white, yellow.
- 4Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: massive, granular, rarely prismatic.
Often confused with
Escheite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂NaMnTi₅[Si₁₂O₃₄]O₂(OH)₃·12H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 2.36 g/cm³
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, granular, rarely prismatic
- Fluorescence
- Bright orange-red under UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Lapidary
- Host rock
- In phonolite
Where rockhounds find escheite
Classic worldwide localities
- Ariskop quarry, Windhoek district, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In phonolite. If you start seeing windhoek district, namibia in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: massive, granular, rarely prismatic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify escheite?+
Mohs hardness is 4. Luster: vitreous. Common colors include pink, red, white, yellow.
Where is escheite found?+
Notable localities include Ariskop quarry, Windhoek district, Namibia.
What rocks look like escheite?+
Escheite is most often confused with Sodalite, Tugtupite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.
What minerals are found with escheite?+
Escheite commonly co-occurs with Windhoek district, Namibia. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.
What kind of rock does escheite form in?+
Where it forms: In phonolite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.
What is escheite used for?+
Escheite is used in collector, lapidary.
Find escheite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
