Okenite is famous for its distinct, fuzzy-looking white spheres that resemble cotton balls. These delicate, needle-like crystals are commonly found inside basalt geodes in India, often associated with other zeolites and apophyllite.

Hardness

4.5-5

Mohs

Luster

Pearly

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineraluncommon

Okenite

Hardness: 4.5-5
Luster: Pearly
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this okenite?

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 okenite with a known reference. Okenite sits at Mohs 4.5-5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Okenite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Okenite typically shows a pearly luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, colorless, yellowish.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: cotton-ball-like spherical aggregates of acicular radiating crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Pectolite

Mohs 4.5-5

How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Okenite and vitreous to silky on Pectolite.

How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Okenite and vitreous on Thomsonite.

Often found alongside okenite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₁₀Si₁₈O₄₆·18H₂O
Mohs hardness: 4.5-5
Density: 2.3 g/cm³
Colors: White Colorless Yellowish
Streak: White
Luster: Pearly
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Cotton-ball-like Spherical Aggregates of Acicular Radiating Crystals
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Uncommon
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Basaltic Vugs and Cavities
Typical price: $10-100 depending on specimen size and quality

Where rockhounds find okenite

Classic worldwide localities

Pune district, Maharashtra, India
Faroe Islands
Greenland
Quebec, Canada

Field-hunting tip

Look in basaltic vugs and cavities country — that is the host setting where okenite typically forms. If you start seeing apophyllite, prehnite, heulandite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a cotton-ball-like spherical aggregates of acicular radiating crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify okenite?+

Mohs hardness is 4.5-5. It typically shows a pearly luster. The streak is white. Common colors include white, colorless, yellowish.

Where is okenite found?+

Notable localities include Pune district, Maharashtra, India; Faroe Islands; Greenland; Quebec, Canada.

How much is okenite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $10-100 depending on specimen size and quality. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like okenite?+

Okenite is most often confused with Pectolite, Thomsonite, Gyrolite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with okenite?+

Okenite commonly co-occurs with Apophyllite, Prehnite, Heulandite, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does okenite form in?+

Okenite typically forms in basaltic vugs and cavities. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is okenite used for?+

Okenite is used in collector.

Find okenite on the map

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