Hutcheonite is an extremely rare titanium-rich garnet found primarily within calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions of carbonaceous chondrite meteorites. It typically occurs as microscopic grains alongside other high-temperature refractory minerals formed in the early solar nebula.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrareGarnet Group family

Hutcheonite

Hardness: 7
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Opaque

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Is this hutcheonite?

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 hutcheonite with a known reference. Hutcheonite sits at Mohs 7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Hutcheonite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Hutcheonite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: black, brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: anhedral to euhedral grains.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside hutcheonite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₃Ti₂SiAl₂O₁₂
Mohs hardness: 7
Density: 3.8-3.9 g/cm³
Colors: Black Brown
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Anhedral to Euhedral Grains
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Ca-Al-rich Inclusions in Carbonaceous Chondrite Meteorites
Typical price: n/a (extremely rare meteorite mineral)

Where rockhounds find hutcheonite

Classic worldwide localities

Hatch Creek, Northern Territory, Australia

Field-hunting tip

Look in ca-al-rich inclusions in carbonaceous chondrite meteorites country, the host setting where hutcheonite typically forms. If you start seeing perovskite, melilite, spinel in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral to euhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify hutcheonite?+

Mohs hardness is 7. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include black, brown.

Where is hutcheonite found?+

Notable localities include Hatch Creek, Northern Territory, Australia.

How much is hutcheonite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of n/a (extremely rare meteorite mineral). Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like hutcheonite?+

Hutcheonite is most often confused with Andradite, Schorlomite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with hutcheonite?+

Hutcheonite commonly co-occurs with Perovskite, Melilite, Spinel, Hibonite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does hutcheonite form in?+

Hutcheonite typically forms in ca-al-rich inclusions in carbonaceous chondrite meteorites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is hutcheonite used for?+

Hutcheonite is used in collector.

Find hutcheonite on the map

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