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 — that is 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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