Marialite is the sodium-rich endmember of the scapolite group and typically forms in contact metamorphic environments. Collectors should look for its characteristic tetragonal prismatic crystals and strong orange fluorescence under ultraviolet light.
Is this marialite?
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 marialite with a known reference. Marialite sits at Mohs 5.5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Marialite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Marialite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, gray, yellow, green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals with pyramidal terminations, often elongated.
Often confused with
Marialite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Quartz is the harder of the two (Mohs 7 vs. 5.5-6).
How to tell apart: Marialite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5.5-6 vs. 3).
How to tell apart: Danburite is the harder of the two (Mohs 7-7.5 vs. 5.5-6).
Often found alongside marialite
Minerals reported to co-occur with marialite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₄Al₃Si₉O₂₄Cl
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5-6
- Density
- 2.5-2.6 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals with Pyramidal Terminations, Often Elongated
- Cleavage
- Distinct in Two Directions
- Fluorescence
- Often Orange or Yellow Under SW UV
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Gemstone
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Rocks Like Marbles and Skarns
- Typical price
- $20-200 for specimens depending on quality and size
Where rockhounds find marialite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tanzania
- Madagascar
- Canada
- Norway
- Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic rocks like marbles and skarns country — that is the host setting where marialite typically forms. If you start seeing diopside, garnet, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals with pyramidal terminations, often elongated habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find marialite on the map
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