Gazeevite is an extremely rare calcium silicate sulfate mineral discovered in the Hatrurim Formation. It typically occurs as small tabular crystals in pyrometamorphic rocks formed under high-temperature, low-pressure conditions.
Is this gazeevite?
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 gazeevite with a known reference. Gazeevite 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: colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Gazeevite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside gazeevite
Minerals reported to co-occur with gazeevite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BaCa₆(SiO₄)₂(SO₄)₂O
- Mohs hardness
- ~4.5
- Density
- 3.39 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals
- Cleavage
- Imperfect on {001}; pronounced parting
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A high-temperature reaction product in carbonate-silicate xenoliths in rhyodacite (Georgia) or in pyrometamorphic rocks associated with volcanism or natural combustion (Israel)
Where rockhounds find gazeevite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hatrurim Formation, Israel
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A high-temperature reaction product in carbonate-silicate xenoliths in rhyodacite (Georgia) or in pyrometamorphic rocks associated with volcanism or natural combustion (Israel). If you start seeing larnite, fluorellestadite-fluorapatite, srebrodolskite-brownmillerite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify gazeevite?+
Where is gazeevite found?+
What rocks look like gazeevite?+
What minerals are found with gazeevite?+
What kind of rock does gazeevite form in?+
What is gazeevite used for?+
Find gazeevite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
