Khesinite is an extremely rare calcium-iron oxide mineral discovered in xenoliths within volcanic rocks. It typically occurs as small, black, tabular crystals and is scientifically significant due to its unique chemical structure related to the melilite group.
Is this khesinite?
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 khesinite with a known reference. Khesinite sits at Mohs 5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Khesinite leaves a brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Khesinite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Khesinite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Khesinite leaves brown, Iron Ore leaves reddish-brown to black; luster reads submetallic on Khesinite and metallic to submetallic on Iron Ore.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Khesinite leaves brown, Magnetite leaves black; luster reads submetallic on Khesinite and metallic on Magnetite.
Often found alongside khesinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with khesinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₄Fe³⁺₁₀O₁₀(Fe³⁺,Fe²⁺)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 4.21 g/cm³
- Streak
- Brown
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Xenoliths in Volcanic Rocks
- Typical price
- n/a
Where rockhounds find khesinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Khesin, Eifel Mountains, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in xenoliths in volcanic rocks country — that is the host setting where khesinite typically forms. If you start seeing magnetite, ettringite, perovskite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find khesinite on the map
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