Latrappite is a rare member of the perovskite supergroup specifically found in carbonatite environments. It typically occurs as small, equant, dark-colored crystals and is most famous from the type locality at the Oka complex in Canada.
Is this latrappite?
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 latrappite with a known reference. Latrappite sits at Mohs 5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: pseudo cubic, twinning common.
Often confused with
Latrappite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Latrappite leaves gray, Perovskite leaves white to grayish white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Latrappite leaves gray, Pyrochlore leaves brown; luster reads adamantine on Latrappite and vitreous to resinous on Pyrochlore.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Latrappite leaves gray, Magnetite leaves black; luster reads adamantine on Latrappite and metallic to submetallic, may be dull on Magnetite.
Often found alongside latrappite
Minerals reported to co-occur with latrappite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂FeNbO₆
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 4.40-4.42 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Gray
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Pseudo cubic, twinning common
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In sövite zones of carbonatite complexes
Where rockhounds find latrappite
Classic worldwide localities
- St. Lawrence Columbium and Metals Corporation mine, near La Trappe, Quebec, Canada
- Found in the Badloch quarry, in the Kaiserstuhl, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In sövite zones of carbonatite complexes. If you start seeing calcite, apatite, diopside in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: pseudo cubic, twinning common. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify latrappite?+
Where is latrappite found?+
What rocks look like latrappite?+
What minerals are found with latrappite?+
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Find latrappite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
