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.
Is this hutcheonite?
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 hutcheonite with a known reference. Hutcheonite sits at Mohs 7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Hutcheonite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Hutcheonite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal 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
- 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 — that is 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
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Find hutcheonite on the map
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