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, 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
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Find miserite on the map
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