Hibonite is an extremely rare calcium aluminum oxide mineral primarily known for its occurrence in calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions within carbonaceous chondrite meteorites. On Earth, it is found in high-grade metamorphic rocks and is prized by serious collectors and researchers for its complex chemistry and extraterrestrial origins.
Is this hibonite?
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 hibonite with a known reference. Hibonite sits at Mohs 7.5-8, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Hibonite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Hibonite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brown, reddish-brown, blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, hexagonal prisms.
Often confused with
Hibonite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Corundum is the harder of the two (Mohs 9 vs. 7.5-8).
How to tell apart: Hibonite is noticeably harder (Mohs 7.5-8 vs. 5.5-6.5); streak differs, so Hibonite leaves white, Magnetite leaves black; luster reads vitreous on Hibonite and metallic on Magnetite.
Often found alongside hibonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with hibonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ca,Ce)(Al,Ti,Mg)₁₂O₁₉
- Mohs hardness
- 7.5-8
- Density
- 3.84 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Hexagonal Prisms
- Cleavage
- Poor On Basal Pinacoid
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Limestones, Calcium-aluminum-rich Inclusions in Meteorites
- Typical price
- $50-500+ per specimen depending on crystal quality
Where rockhounds find hibonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Esna, Egypt
- Murchison meteorite, Australia
- Allende meteorite, Mexico
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed limestones, calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions in meteorites country, the host setting where hibonite typically forms. If you start seeing spinel, perovskite, melilite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, hexagonal prisms habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find hibonite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
