Meionite is a calcium-rich member of the scapolite group, typically found in contact metamorphic rocks like skarns. Collectors often look for its distinct tetragonal prismatic habit and its characteristic bright fluorescence under ultraviolet light.
Is this meionite?
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 meionite with a known reference. Meionite 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. Meionite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Meionite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, yellow, gray, pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, granular, massive.
Often confused with
Meionite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside meionite
Minerals reported to co-occur with meionite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₄Al₆Si₆O₂₄CO₃
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5-6
- Density
- 2.6-2.7 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Granular, Massive
- Cleavage
- Distinct Prismatic
- Fluorescence
- Often Fluorescent Yellow or Orange Under UV
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Research
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Limestones and Skarns
- Typical price
- $10-100 per specimen
Where rockhounds find meionite
Classic worldwide localities
- Monte Somma, Italy
- Grenville Province, Canada
- Franklin, New Jersey, USA
- Pargas, Finland
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic limestones and skarns country — that is the host setting where meionite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, diopside, garnet in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, granular, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find meionite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
