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, so 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, so 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, 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.
