Mutinaite is a very rare zeolite mineral originally discovered in Italy. It typically forms as small, tabular, colorless to white crystals within the vesicles of volcanic tuff, often requiring microscopic examination for positive identification.

Hardness

4-5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareZeolite Group family

Mutinaite

Hardness: 4-5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

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Is this mutinaite?

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

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Mutinaite and vitreous to pearly on Heulandite.

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Often found alongside mutinaite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₄Ca₅Si₅₄Al₁₈O₁₄₄·28H₂O
Mohs hardness: 4-5
Density: 2.12 g/cm³
Colors: White Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals
Cleavage: Good
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Volcanic Tuffs
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find mutinaite

Classic worldwide localities

Mutina, Italy

Field-hunting tip

Look in volcanic tuffs country — that is the host setting where mutinaite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, quartz, clay minerals in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify mutinaite?+

Mohs hardness is 4-5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include white, colorless.

Where is mutinaite found?+

Notable localities include Mutina, Italy.

How much is mutinaite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like mutinaite?+

Mutinaite is most often confused with Mordenite, Heulandite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with mutinaite?+

Mutinaite commonly co-occurs with Calcite, Quartz, Clay minerals. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does mutinaite form in?+

Mutinaite typically forms in volcanic tuffs. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is mutinaite used for?+

Mutinaite is used in collector.

Find mutinaite on the map

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