Magnesiocarpholite is a rare sorosilicate typically found as delicate, fibrous, or acicular aggregates in high-pressure metamorphic environments. Collectors often look for its characteristic silky luster and radial growth patterns, which distinguish it from more common fibrous silicates.
Is this magnesiocarpholite?
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 magnesiocarpholite with a known reference. Magnesiocarpholite sits at Mohs 5-5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Magnesiocarpholite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Magnesiocarpholite typically shows a silky luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, yellowish, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: fibrous, radiating, acicular.
Often confused with
Magnesiocarpholite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads silky on Magnesiocarpholite and vitreous on Carpholite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads silky on Magnesiocarpholite and vitreous on Ferrocarpholite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads silky on Magnesiocarpholite and vitreous on Tremolite.
Often found alongside magnesiocarpholite
Minerals reported to co-occur with magnesiocarpholite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- MgAl₂Si₂O₆(OH)₄
- Mohs hardness
- 5-5.5
- Density
- 2.9-3.0 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Silky
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous, Radiating, Acicular
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Rocks, Specifically High-pressure, Low-temperature Blueschist Facies
- Typical price
- $20-100 per specimen
Where rockhounds find magnesiocarpholite
Classic worldwide localities
- Sardinia, Italy
- Czech Republic
- Japan
- Greece
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic rocks, specifically high-pressure, low-temperature blueschist facies country — that is the host setting where magnesiocarpholite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, chlorite, pyrophyllite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a fibrous, radiating, acicular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify magnesiocarpholite?+
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What rocks look like magnesiocarpholite?+
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Find magnesiocarpholite on the map
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