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?
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 maohokite with a known reference. Maohokite sits at Mohs 8-9 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Maohokite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Maohokite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Maohokite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Maohokite is noticeably harder (Mohs 8-9 vs. 5.5-6.5); streak differs — Maohokite leaves white, Magnetite leaves black; luster reads vitreous on Maohokite and metallic on Magnetite.
How to tell apart: Maohokite is noticeably harder (Mohs 8-9 vs. 6-6.5); streak differs — Maohokite leaves white, Magnesioferrite leaves black; luster reads vitreous on Maohokite and metallic on Magnesioferrite.
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
- 4.15 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Impact Melt Veins in Meteorites
- Typical price
- extremely high (research grade)
Where rockhounds find maohokite
Classic worldwide localities
- Suizhou meteorite, China
Field-hunting tip
Look in impact melt veins in meteorites country — that is the host setting where maohokite typically forms. If you start seeing ringwoodite, bridgmanite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find maohokite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
