Miserite is a rare potassium-calcium silicate mineral primarily recognized for its distinctive pink to rose-red coloration. It is most commonly found as massive or foliated aggregates, frequently occurring in association with charoite in alkaline rock complexes.
Is this miserite?
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 miserite with a known reference. Miserite 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. Miserite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Miserite typically shows a vitreous to pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pink, rose-red, brownish-pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: massive, foliated, fibrous aggregates.
Often confused with
Miserite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside miserite
Minerals reported to co-occur with miserite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K(Ca,Ce)₆Si₈O₂₂ (OH,F)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 2.85 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Foliated, Fibrous Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect in One Direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Syenite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $20-100 for small cabinet specimens
Where rockhounds find miserite
Classic worldwide localities
- Murun Massif, Russia
- Charoite deposits, Siberia
- Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline syenite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where miserite typically forms. If you start seeing charoite, quartz, aegirine in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, foliated, fibrous aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify miserite?+
Where is miserite found?+
How much is miserite worth?+
What rocks look like miserite?+
What minerals are found with miserite?+
What kind of rock does miserite form in?+
What is miserite used for?+
Find miserite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
