Flörkeite is a very rare zeolite group mineral primarily found in volcanic cavities within basaltic rocks in the Eifel region of Germany. It typically appears as small, white to colorless prismatic crystals and is frequently associated with other zeolites like phillipsite and chabazite.
Is this flörkeite?
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 flörkeite with a known reference. Flörkeite sits at Mohs 4-5, 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: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, pink, yellow-pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Flörkeite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside flörkeite
Minerals reported to co-occur with flörkeite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (K,Na,Ca)₃(Si,Al)₈O₁₆·6H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 2.266 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic crystals
- Cleavage
- Imperfect on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In late-stage, low-temperature mineral in small cavities of a pyrometamorphically modified limestone xenolith in leucite-tephritic lava
Where rockhounds find flörkeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bellerberg volcano, near Ettringen, East Eifel volcanic area, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In late-stage, low-temperature mineral in small cavities of a pyrometamorphically modified limestone xenolith in leucite-tephritic lava. If you start seeing tobermorite, thaumasite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify flörkeite?+
Where is flörkeite found?+
What rocks look like flörkeite?+
What minerals are found with flörkeite?+
What kind of rock does flörkeite form in?+
What is flörkeite used for?+
Find flörkeite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
