Oxycalciomicrolite is a rare member of the pyrochlore supergroup, typically appearing as small, sharp octahedral crystals in complex granite pegmatites. It is often found associated with other rare-element minerals and is prized primarily by advanced mineral collectors for its complex chemistry and distinct crystal form.
Is this oxycalciomicrolite?
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 oxycalciomicrolite with a known reference. Oxycalciomicrolite sits at Mohs 5-5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Oxycalciomicrolite leaves a pale yellow to white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Oxycalciomicrolite typically shows a resinous to vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, reddish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: octahedral crystals.
Often found alongside oxycalciomicrolite
Minerals reported to co-occur with oxycalciomicrolite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂Ta₂O₆O
- Mohs hardness
- 5-5.5
- Density
- 5.5-6.5 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale Yellow to White
- Luster
- Resinous to Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Octahedral Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-500 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find oxycalciomicrolite
Classic worldwide localities
- Sweden
- Russia
- Brazil
- Canada
- USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where oxycalciomicrolite typically forms. If you start seeing albite, quartz, muscovite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a octahedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify oxycalciomicrolite?+
Where is oxycalciomicrolite found?+
How much is oxycalciomicrolite worth?+
What minerals are found with oxycalciomicrolite?+
What kind of rock does oxycalciomicrolite form in?+
What is oxycalciomicrolite used for?+
Find oxycalciomicrolite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
