Oyelite is a rare calcium silicate hydrate typically found in skarn environments. Collectors should look for delicate white platy or radiating crystal sprays often associated with other rare calcium silicates.
Is this oyelite?
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 oyelite with a known reference. Oyelite sits at Mohs 4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Oyelite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Oyelite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy crystals, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Oyelite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside oyelite
Minerals reported to co-occur with oyelite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₄Si₆O₁₅(OH)₂·4H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 2.51 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Skarn Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find oyelite
Classic worldwide localities
- Fuka mine, Okayama Prefecture, Japan
- Akagane mine, Iwate Prefecture, Japan
Field-hunting tip
Look in skarn deposits country — that is the host setting where oyelite typically forms. If you start seeing bultfonteinite, riversideite, fukalite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find oyelite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
