Homilite is a rare borosilicate mineral typically found in nepheline syenite pegmatites. Collectors look for its characteristic black to brownish-black prismatic crystals, which are often found in close association with other rare beryllium or boron-bearing minerals.
Is this homilite?
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 homilite with a known reference. Homilite sits at Mohs 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Homilite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Homilite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brown, greenish-black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, massive.
Often confused with
Homilite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside homilite
Minerals reported to co-occur with homilite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂Fe²⁺B₂Si₂O₁₀
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 3.38 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Syenite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find homilite
Classic worldwide localities
- Låven Island, Norway
- Barkevik, Norway
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in syenite pegmatites country, the host setting where homilite typically forms. If you start seeing meliphanite, larsenite, eudidymite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify homilite?+
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How much is homilite worth?+
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Find homilite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
