Lisetite is a rare high-pressure polymorph of calcium aluminum silicate found within eclogites. It typically occurs as small grains in high-grade metamorphic environments, making it a significant mineral for understanding crustal subduction processes.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrarePlagioclase Series family

Lisetite

Hardness: 6
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this lisetite?

5-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 lisetite with a known reference. Lisetite sits at Mohs 6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: anhedral to subhedral grains.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside lisetite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₂CaAl₄(SiO₄)₄
Mohs hardness: 6
Density: 2.73 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Anhedral to subhedral grains
Cleavage: Perfect on {001} and {010}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Formed by retrograde metamorphism of a Na, Al-rich and K, Mg-poor eclogite pod in the highest pressure part of the greenschist, amphibolite, or granulite facies

Where rockhounds find lisetite

Classic worldwide localities

Liset eclogite pod, Selje district, southwestern Norway

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Formed by retrograde metamorphism of a Na, Al-rich and K, Mg-poor eclogite pod in the highest pressure part of the greenschist, amphibolite, or granulite facies. If you start seeing taramite, jadeite, hematite 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 lisetite?+

Mohs hardness is 6. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless.

Where is lisetite found?+

Notable localities include Liset eclogite pod, Selje district, southwestern Norway.

What rocks look like lisetite?+

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

What minerals are found with lisetite?+

Lisetite commonly co-occurs with Taramite, Jadeite, Hematite, Ilmenite, Högbomite, Albite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does lisetite form in?+

Where it forms: Formed by retrograde metamorphism of a Na, Al-rich and K, Mg-poor eclogite pod in the highest pressure part of the greenschist, amphibolite, or granulite facies. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is lisetite used for?+

Lisetite is used in collector.

Find lisetite on the map

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