Klöchite is a rare iron potassium zinc silicate, typically blue. It occurs in vugs in a SiO2-rich xenolith from a nepheline basanite quarry. It was first described from Klöch volcano, Bad Radkersburg district, Styria, Austria.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareTourmaline Supergroup family

Klöchite

Hardness: 7
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent

No image

Is this klöchite?

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 klöchite with a known reference. Klöchite sits at Mohs 7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
3
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: blue.
4
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside klöchite

Minerals reported to co-occur with klöchite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: (Fe²⁺Fe³⁺)☐₂KZn₃(Si₁₂O₃₀)
Mohs hardness: 7
Density: 3.016 g/cm³
Colors: Blue
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Prismatic crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In vugs in a SiO2-rich xenolith from a nepheline basanite quarry

Where rockhounds find klöchite

Classic worldwide localities

Klöch volcano, Bad Radkersburg district, Styria, Austria

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In vugs in a SiO2-rich xenolith from a nepheline basanite quarry. If you start seeing sanidine, quartz, diopside in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify klöchite?+

Mohs hardness is 7. Luster: vitreous. Common colors include blue.

Where is klöchite found?+

Notable localities include Klöch volcano, Bad Radkersburg district, Styria, Austria.

What rocks look like klöchite?+

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

What minerals are found with klöchite?+

Klöchite commonly co-occurs with Sanidine, Quartz, Diopside, Fluoro-richterite, Titanite, Enstatite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does klöchite form in?+

Where it forms: In vugs in a SiO2-rich xenolith from a nepheline basanite quarry. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is klöchite used for?+

Klöchite is used in collector.

Find klöchite on the map

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