Merrihueite is a rare member of the osumilite group occurring almost exclusively within meteoritic samples. It typically appears as tiny blue to greenish grains embedded in the matrix of stony-iron or chondritic meteorites alongside minerals like olivine and enstatite.
Is this merrihueite?
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 merrihueite with a known reference. Merrihueite sits at Mohs 5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Merrihueite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Merrihueite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, blue-green, green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Merrihueite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside merrihueite
Minerals reported to co-occur with merrihueite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (K,Na)₂(Fe,Mg)₅(Si,Al)₁₂O₃₀
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 2.7-2.8 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Stony-iron and Chondritic Meteorites
- Typical price
- $100-500 per specimen depending on size and rarity
Where rockhounds find merrihueite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kukschin Meteorite (Russia)
- Mezö-Madaras Meteorite (Romania)
- Huckitta Meteorite (Australia)
Field-hunting tip
Look in stony-iron and chondritic meteorites country, the host setting where merrihueite typically forms. If you start seeing enstatite, olivine, troilite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify merrihueite?+
Where is merrihueite found?+
How much is merrihueite worth?+
What rocks look like merrihueite?+
What minerals are found with merrihueite?+
What kind of rock does merrihueite form in?+
What is merrihueite used for?+
Find merrihueite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
