Krotite is an exceptionally rare calcium aluminate mineral discovered within a calcium-aluminum-rich inclusion of the Allende meteorite. It represents one of the earliest high-temperature minerals formed in the solar nebula and is typically found as tiny inclusions associated with other refractory minerals.
Is this krotite?
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 krotite with a known reference. Krotite sits at Mohs ~6.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: anhedral to subhedral grains.
Often confused with
Krotite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside krotite
Minerals reported to co-occur with krotite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaAl₂O₄
- Mohs hardness
- ~6.5
- Density
- 2.944 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral to subhedral grains
- Cleavage
- Good on {100} and {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Likely formed by condensation or crystallization from a melt in the solar nebula, now a Ca-Al-rich refractory inclusion in a carbonaceous chondrite meteorite
Where rockhounds find krotite
Classic worldwide localities
- Allende Meteorite, Chihuahua, Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Likely formed by condensation or crystallization from a melt in the solar nebula, now a Ca-Al-rich refractory inclusion in a carbonaceous chondrite meteorite. If you start seeing perovskite, gehlenite, hercynite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral to subhedral grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify krotite?+
Where is krotite found?+
What rocks look like krotite?+
What minerals are found with krotite?+
What kind of rock does krotite form in?+
What is krotite used for?+
Find krotite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
