Megawite is a rare calcium tin oxide, typically pale yellow or colorless. It is an occurs as minute inclusions in rock-forming minerals in altered ignimbrite xenoliths in a caldera. It was first described from Upper Chegem caldera, Kabardino-Balkaria, Northern Caucasus, Russia.
Is this megawite?
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 megawite with a known reference. Megawite sits at Mohs 4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Megawite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Megawite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pale yellow, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Megawite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside megawite
Minerals reported to co-occur with megawite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaSnO₃
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 5.06 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Good On {110} and {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
Where rockhounds find megawite
Classic worldwide localities
- Upper Chegem caldera, Northern Caucasus, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country, the host setting where megawite typically forms. If you start seeing roscherite, eosphorite, triphylite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify megawite?+
Where is megawite found?+
What rocks look like megawite?+
What minerals are found with megawite?+
What kind of rock does megawite form in?+
What is megawite used for?+
Find megawite on the map
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