Humite is a rare member of the humite group typically found in contact metamorphosed carbonate rocks. It is most easily recognized by its distinct orange-yellow to brownish-red hues and vitreous luster in granular or crystalline aggregates.

Hardness

6-6.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineraluncommonHumite Group family

Humite

Hardness: 6-6.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this humite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch humite with a known reference. Humite sits at Mohs 6-6.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Humite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Humite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, orange, reddish-brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: granular, compact masses, or small rounded orthorhombic crystals.

Often confused with

Humite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Chondrodite

Mohs 6-6.5

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Humite and vitreous to resinous on Chondrodite.

Often found alongside humite

Minerals reported to co-occur with humite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: (Mg,Fe)₇(SiO₄)₃(F,OH)₂
Mohs hardness: 6-6.5
Density: 3.1-3.2 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Brown Orange Reddish-brown
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Granular, Compact Masses, Or Small Rounded Orthorhombic Crystals
Cleavage: Poor On {001}
Rarity: Uncommon
Uses: Collector, Scientific Research
Host rock: Metamorphosed Limestones and Dolomites
Typical price: $10-100 per specimen

Where rockhounds find humite

Classic worldwide localities

Monte Somma, Italy
Amity, New York, USA
Pargas, Finland
Kukh-i-Lal, Tajikistan
Norberg, Sweden

Field-hunting tip

Look in metamorphosed limestones and dolomites country, the host setting where humite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, dolomite, spinels in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a granular, compact masses, or small rounded orthorhombic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify humite?+

Mohs hardness is 6-6.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include yellow, brown, orange, reddish-brown.

Where is humite found?+

Notable localities include Monte Somma, Italy; Amity, New York, USA; Pargas, Finland; Kukh-i-Lal, Tajikistan; Norberg, Sweden.

How much is humite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $10-100 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like humite?+

Humite is most often confused with Chondrodite, Clinohumite, Forsterite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with humite?+

Humite commonly co-occurs with Calcite, Dolomite, Spinels, Phlogopite, Diopside. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does humite form in?+

Humite typically forms in metamorphosed limestones and dolomites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is humite used for?+

Humite is used in collector, scientific research.

Find humite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.