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, 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.
