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 — that is 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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Find homilite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
