Gottardiite is a rare member of the zeolite group often found in volcanic cavities within basalt. It forms clear to white tabular crystals that strongly resemble stilbite, and identification usually requires X-ray diffraction due to its structural complexity.
Is this gottardiite?
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 gottardiite with a known reference. Gottardiite sits at Mohs 4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Gottardiite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Gottardiite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, aggregates.
Often confused with
Gottardiite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside gottardiite
Minerals reported to co-occur with gottardiite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₃KCaMg₅(Si₂₇Al₉)O₇₂·23H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 2.14 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None Observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Basaltic Cavities
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen quality
Where rockhounds find gottardiite
Classic worldwide localities
- Antarctia
- Oregon, USA
- Iceland
Field-hunting tip
Look in basaltic cavities country, the host setting where gottardiite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, quartz, heulandite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify gottardiite?+
Where is gottardiite found?+
How much is gottardiite worth?+
What rocks look like gottardiite?+
What minerals are found with gottardiite?+
What kind of rock does gottardiite form in?+
What is gottardiite used for?+
Find gottardiite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
