Kimseyite is an exceptionally rare zirconium-rich member of the garnet group. It typically appears as dark brown to black dodecahedral crystals in alkaline igneous environments, often closely associated with minerals like monticellite and magnetite.
Is this kimseyite?
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 kimseyite with a known reference. Kimseyite sits at Mohs 7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Kimseyite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Kimseyite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark brown, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals.
Often confused with
Kimseyite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside kimseyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kimseyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₃Zr₂Fe₂SiAl₂O₁₂
- Mohs hardness
- 7
- Density
- 3.85 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Dodecahedral Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Research
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Complexes
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen size and quality
Where rockhounds find kimseyite
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Magnet Cove, Arkansas, USA
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous complexes country — that is the host setting where kimseyite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, monticellite, magnetite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a dodecahedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Arkansas — start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find kimseyite on the map
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