Omongwaite is a very rare silicate mineral typically found in the miarolitic cavities of the Brandberg Massif in Namibia. It usually appears as small, fragile, colorless to pale yellow tabular crystals often grouped in radial or fan-like aggregates.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Omongwaite

Hardness: 2
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this omongwaite?

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

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Apophyllite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5-5 vs. 2); luster reads vitreous on Omongwaite and vitreous to pearly on Apophyllite.

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Often found alongside omongwaite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₂Ca₄(Si₆O₁₆)(OH)₂·9H₂O
Mohs hardness: 2
Density: 2.44 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White Yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals, Radial Aggregates
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Alkaline Igneous Rocks
Typical price: $50-500 depending on specimen quality

Where rockhounds find omongwaite

Classic worldwide localities

Brandberg Massif, Namibia
Erongo Region, Namibia

Field-hunting tip

Look in alkaline igneous rocks country — that is the host setting where omongwaite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, fluorite, microcline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify omongwaite?+

Mohs hardness is 2. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white, yellow.

Where is omongwaite found?+

Notable localities include Brandberg Massif, Namibia; Erongo Region, Namibia.

How much is omongwaite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-500 depending on specimen quality. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like omongwaite?+

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

What minerals are found with omongwaite?+

Omongwaite commonly co-occurs with Quartz, Fluorite, Microcline, Aegirine. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does omongwaite form in?+

Omongwaite typically forms in alkaline igneous rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is omongwaite used for?+

Omongwaite is used in collector.

Find omongwaite on the map

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