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.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Semi-metallic

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Khesinite

Hardness: 6
Luster: Semi-metallic
Transparency: Translucent

Is this khesinite?

4-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 khesinite with a known reference. Khesinite sits at Mohs 6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: semi-metallic.
3
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: black, dark brown on thin edges.
4
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Hematite

Mohs 5-6

How to tell apart: Luster reads semi-metallic on Khesinite and metallic or submetallic to dull on Hematite.

How to tell apart: Luster reads semi-metallic on Khesinite and metallic to submetallic, may be dull on Magnetite.

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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: Ca₄(Mg₂Fe³⁺₁₀)O₄(Fe³⁺₁₀Si₂)O₃₆
Mohs hardness: 6
Density: 4.097 g/cm³
Colors: BlackDark brown on thin edges
Luster: Semi-metallic
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Formed from melt and as reaction rims in thin veins of paralava within fine-grained gehlenite rocks (pyrometamorphic hornfels)

Where rockhounds find khesinite

Classic worldwide localities

Gurim anticline, near Arad city, Negev Desert, Israel

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Formed from melt and as reaction rims in thin veins of paralava within fine-grained gehlenite rocks (pyrometamorphic hornfels). If you start seeing gehlenite, rankinite, schorlomite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify khesinite?+

Mohs hardness is 6. Luster: semi-metallic. Common colors include black, dark brown on thin edges.

Where is khesinite found?+

Notable localities include Gurim anticline, near Arad city, Negev Desert, Israel.

What rocks look like khesinite?+

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

What minerals are found with khesinite?+

Khesinite commonly co-occurs with Gehlenite, Rankinite, Schorlomite, Pseudowollastonite, Ni-bearing magnesioferrite, Andradite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does khesinite form in?+

Where it forms: Formed from melt and as reaction rims in thin veins of paralava within fine-grained gehlenite rocks (pyrometamorphic hornfels). Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is khesinite used for?+

Khesinite is used in collector.

Find khesinite on the map

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