Nabimusaite is a very rare silicate mineral found in the Hatrurim Basin, formed through combustion metamorphism. It typically occurs as small tabular crystals or crusts associated with other high-temperature, low-pressure minerals in thermally metamorphosed limestone. Due to its extreme rarity and very restricted locality, it is highly sought after by advanced mineral collectors.
Is this nabimusaite?
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 nabimusaite with a known reference. Nabimusaite sits at Mohs 4-5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Nabimusaite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Nabimusaite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy crystals, tabular aggregates.
Often confused with
Nabimusaite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside nabimusaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with nabimusaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- KCa₁₂Si₄O₄(SO₄)₄(CO₃)₄F₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 2.81 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Tabular Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Pyrometamorphic Rocks
- Typical price
- expensive
Where rockhounds find nabimusaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hatrurim Formation, Israel
Field-hunting tip
Look in pyrometamorphic rocks country — that is the host setting where nabimusaite typically forms. If you start seeing ettringite, calcite, gypsum in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, tabular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify nabimusaite?+
Where is nabimusaite found?+
How much is nabimusaite worth?+
What rocks look like nabimusaite?+
What minerals are found with nabimusaite?+
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Find nabimusaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
