Llanite is a unique and rare porphyritic rhyolite found only in Llano County, Texas. It is highly prized by collectors for its distinctive groundmass featuring star-shaped blue quartz crystals and orange-pink microcline feldspar phenocrysts.

Hardness

6-7

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Opaque

igneousrare

Llanite

Also: Que-Sera stone, Rhyolite porphyry

Hardness: 6-7
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Opaque

Is this llanite?

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 llanite with a known reference. Llanite sits at Mohs 6-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Llanite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Llanite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: brown, reddish-brown, gray, blue.
5
Look at form & habit
Typical habit: massive.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside llanite

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

All properties

Mohs hardness: 6-7
Density: 2.6-2.7 g/cm³
Colors: Brown Reddish-brown Gray Blue
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal habit: Massive
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Lapidary, Collector, Decorative
Host rock: Igneous Rhyolite Dikes
Typical price: $10-50 for small polished pieces, $50-200 for larger specimens

Where rockhounds find llanite

1 mapped spots

Classic worldwide localities

Llano County, Texas, USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in igneous rhyolite dikes country — that is the host setting where llanite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, feldspar, fluorite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Texas — start trip planning there.

Browse 1 U.S. spots for llanite →

Common questions

How do you identify llanite?+

Mohs hardness is 6-7. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include brown, reddish-brown, gray, blue.

Where is llanite found?+

Notable localities include Llano County, Texas, USA.

Can I find llanite in the United States?+

RockHoundR maps 1 llanite rockhounding spots across 1 U.S. states — the top states are Texas.

How much is llanite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $10-50 for small polished pieces, $50-200 for larger specimens. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like llanite?+

Llanite is most often confused with Granite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with llanite?+

Llanite commonly co-occurs with quartz, feldspar, fluorite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does llanite form in?+

Llanite typically forms in igneous rhyolite dikes. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is llanite used for?+

Llanite is used in lapidary, collector, decorative.

Find llanite on the map

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