Meieranite is an extremely rare scandium-dominant member of the garnet group. It typically appears as small yellow to brown dodecahedral crystals found in alkaline igneous environments.

Hardness

7-7.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareGarnet Group family

Meieranite

Meieranite is an extremely rare scandium-dominant member of the garnet group. It typically appears as small yellow to brown dodecahedral crystals found in alkaline igneous environments.

Hardness: 7-7.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this meieranite?

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 meieranite with a known reference. Meieranite sits at Mohs 7-7.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Meieranite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Meieranite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside meieranite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₃Sc₂Si₃O₁₂
Mohs hardness: 7-7.5
Density: 3.84 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Brown
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Dodecahedral Crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Alkaline Igneous Complexes
Typical price: $100-500 per specimen

Where rockhounds find meieranite

Classic worldwide localities

Kovdor Massif, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in alkaline igneous complexes country, the host setting where meieranite typically forms. If you start seeing forsterite, magnetite, apatite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a dodecahedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify meieranite?+

Mohs hardness is 7-7.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include yellow, brown.

Where is meieranite found?+

Notable localities include Kovdor Massif, Russia.

How much is meieranite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $100-500 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like meieranite?+

Meieranite is most often confused with Andradite, Grossularite Garnet. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with meieranite?+

Meieranite commonly co-occurs with Forsterite, Magnetite, Apatite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does meieranite form in?+

Meieranite typically forms in alkaline igneous complexes. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is meieranite used for?+

Meieranite is used in collector.

Find meieranite on the map

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