Maohokite is an ultra-high-pressure mineral discovered within shock-melted veins of the Suizhou meteorite. It forms as a high-pressure polymorph of magnesioferrite and is essentially exclusive to intense impact events in outer space.
Is this maohokite?
2-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 maohokite with a known reference. Maohokite sits at Mohs 8-9, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Maohokite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside maohokite
Minerals reported to co-occur with maohokite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- MgFe₂O₄
- Mohs hardness
- 8-9
- Density
- 5.33 g/cm³
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- impact melt veins in meteorites
Where rockhounds find maohokite
Classic worldwide localities
- Xiuyan impact crater, northern Liaodong Peninsula, China
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: impact melt veins in meteorites. If you start seeing reidite, maohokite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify maohokite?+
Where is maohokite found?+
What rocks look like maohokite?+
What minerals are found with maohokite?+
What kind of rock does maohokite form in?+
What is maohokite used for?+
Find maohokite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
