Khmaralite is a rare beryllium-bearing mineral belonging to the sapphirine supergroup, chemically distinguished from sapphirine by its significant beryllium content. It typically occurs as small, dark blue to greenish-blue granular masses in high-grade metamorphic complexes. Collectors prize it primarily as a rare mineralogical curiosity due to its limited global occurrences.
Is this khmaralite?
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 khmaralite with a known reference. Khmaralite sits at Mohs 7-7.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Khmaralite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Khmaralite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark blue, greenish-blue, dark green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: granular.
Often confused with
Khmaralite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside khmaralite
Minerals reported to co-occur with khmaralite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Mg,Fe,Be)₄(Al,Si)₆O₂₀
- Mohs hardness
- 7-7.5
- Density
- 3.51 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Granular
- Cleavage
- Poor
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Rocks, Specifically Granulite Facies Terrains
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen size and quality
Where rockhounds find khmaralite
Classic worldwide localities
- Casey Bay, Enderby Land, Antarctica
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic rocks, specifically granulite facies terrains country, the host setting where khmaralite typically forms. If you start seeing sapphirine, phlogopite, spinels in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find khmaralite on the map
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