Meerschaum, also known as sepiolite, is a soft, porous, and lightweight magnesium silicate mineral primarily known for its use in smoking pipes. It is typically found in sedimentary deposits as earthy, massive clumps that can be carved easily and often float in water when dry.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Dull

Streak

White

Transparency

Opaque

mineralcommon

Meerschautite

Hardness: 2
Luster: Dull
Streak: White
Transparency: Opaque

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Is this meerschautite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch meerschautite with a known reference. Meerschautite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Meerschautite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Meerschautite typically shows a dull luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, gray, yellowish.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: massive.

Often confused with

Meerschautite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Magnesite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4.5 vs. 2); luster reads dull on Meerschautite and vitreous on Magnesite.

Often found alongside meerschautite

Minerals reported to co-occur with meerschautite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Mg₈Si₁₂O₃₀(OH)₄(H₂O)₄·8H₂O
Mohs hardness: 2
Density: 2.1-2.2 g/cm³
Colors: White Gray Yellowish
Streak: White
Luster: Dull
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Massive
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Common
Uses: Decorative, Collector, Carving
Host rock: Sedimentary Environments Associated with Alteration of Serpentinite
Typical price: $10-100 per specimen depending on size and carving quality

Where rockhounds find meerschautite

Classic worldwide localities

Eskisehir, Turkey
Thebes, Greece
Somalia
Amboseli, Kenya

Field-hunting tip

Look in sedimentary environments associated with alteration of serpentinite country — that is the host setting where meerschautite typically forms. If you start seeing magnesite, dolomite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify meerschautite?+

Mohs hardness is 2. It typically shows a dull luster. The streak is white. Common colors include white, gray, yellowish.

Where is meerschautite found?+

Notable localities include Eskisehir, Turkey; Thebes, Greece; Somalia; Amboseli, Kenya.

How much is meerschautite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $10-100 per specimen depending on size and carving quality. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like meerschautite?+

Meerschautite is most often confused with Kaolinite, Magnesite, Tripoli. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with meerschautite?+

Meerschautite commonly co-occurs with Magnesite, Dolomite, Calcite, Serpentine. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does meerschautite form in?+

Meerschautite typically forms in sedimentary environments associated with alteration of serpentinite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is meerschautite used for?+

Meerschautite is used in decorative, collector, carving.

Find meerschautite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.