Kuratite is an exceptionally rare mineral primarily identified within carbonaceous chondrite meteorites. It typically occurs as small grains associated with other silicate and metallic phases in extraterrestrial material.

Hardness

6-7

Mohs

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrareSapphirine Supergroup family

Kuratite

Hardness: 6-7
Transparency: Opaque

No image

Is this kuratite?

2-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 kuratite with a known reference. Kuratite sits at Mohs 6-7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: granular aggregates, interstitial grains.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside kuratite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₂(Fe₅Ti)O₂[Si₄Al₂O₁₈]
Mohs hardness: 6-7
Density: 3.906 g/cm³
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Granular aggregates, interstitial grains
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In multiple-phase pockets, located mainly at olivine-augite triple junctions in an angrite meteorite, probably crystallized from an interstitial melt

Where rockhounds find kuratite

Classic worldwide localities

Puy de Saint-Sandoux, Auvergne, France
Foster Crater, McMurdo Volcanic Group, Antarctica and Saint-Leu, Réunion Island
Kaiserstuhl volcanic complex, Upper Rhine Graben, SW Germany

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In multiple-phase pockets, located mainly at olivine-augite triple junctions in an angrite meteorite, probably crystallized from an interstitial melt. If you start seeing whitlockite, ulvöspinel, ca-rich fayalite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular aggregates, interstitial grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify kuratite?+

Mohs hardness is 6-7.

Where is kuratite found?+

Notable localities include Puy de Saint-Sandoux, Auvergne, France; Foster Crater, McMurdo Volcanic Group, Antarctica and Saint-Leu, Réunion Island; Kaiserstuhl volcanic complex, Upper Rhine Graben, SW Germany.

What rocks look like kuratite?+

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

What minerals are found with kuratite?+

Kuratite commonly co-occurs with Whitlockite, Ulvöspinel, Ca-rich fayalite, Al-Ti-bearing hedenbergite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does kuratite form in?+

Where it forms: In multiple-phase pockets, located mainly at olivine-augite triple junctions in an angrite meteorite, probably crystallized from an interstitial melt. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is kuratite used for?+

Kuratite is used in collector.

Find kuratite on the map

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