Kassite is a very rare calcium titanium hydroxide mineral found primarily in the alkaline igneous complexes of the Kola Peninsula. It typically forms small, clear to white tabular crystals that are highly sought after by advanced collectors of rare titanium species.
Is this kassite?
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 kassite with a known reference. Kassite sits at Mohs 4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Kassite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Kassite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, yellowish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, clusters.
Often confused with
Kassite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Perovskite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5 vs. 4); luster reads vitreous on Kassite and adamantine on Perovskite.
How to tell apart: Anatase is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5-6 vs. 4); streak differs — Kassite leaves white, Anatase leaves white to pale yellow; luster reads vitreous on Kassite and adamantine on Anatase.
Often found alongside kassite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kassite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaTi₂O₄(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 2.75 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Clusters
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find kassite
Classic worldwide localities
- Khibiny Massif, Russia
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks country — that is the host setting where kassite typically forms. If you start seeing natrolite, aegirine, ilmenite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, clusters habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find kassite on the map
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