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 — that is 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.