Parthéite is a rare calcium-rich zeolite typically found as small, platy, or radiating crystals within hydrothermal veins. It is most easily identified by its occurrence in specific geological environments alongside other calcium-bearing zeolites and minerals like prehnite.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareZeolite Group family

Parthéite

Hardness: 4
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this parthéite?

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 parthéite with a known reference. Parthéite sits at Mohs 4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: fibrous, radial.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside parthéite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₂Al₄Si₄O₁₅(OH)₂·4H₂O
Mohs hardness: 4
Density: 2.39-2.45 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Fibrous, radial
Cleavage: {100}, {110}, distinct
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In rodingite dikes within an ophiolite (Doģanbaba, Turkey); in veins cutting a gabbroic intrusive complex (Denezhkin Kamen complex, Russia)

Where rockhounds find parthéite

Classic worldwide localities

Belenköysirti Hill, seven km southeast of the village of Doģanbaba, Taurus Mountains, Burdur Province, Turkey
Denezhkin Kamen complex, Ural Mountains, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In rodingite dikes within an ophiolite (Doģanbaba, Turkey); in veins cutting a gabbroic intrusive complex (Denezhkin Kamen complex, Russia). If you start seeing prehnite, thomsonite, augite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: fibrous, radial. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify parthéite?+

Mohs hardness is 4. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white.

Where is parthéite found?+

Notable localities include Belenköysirti Hill, seven km southeast of the village of Doģanbaba, Taurus Mountains, Burdur Province, Turkey; Denezhkin Kamen complex, Ural Mountains, Russia.

What rocks look like parthéite?+

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

What minerals are found with parthéite?+

Parthéite commonly co-occurs with Prehnite, Thomsonite, Augite, Chlorite, Tremolite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does parthéite form in?+

Where it forms: In rodingite dikes within an ophiolite (Doģanbaba, Turkey); in veins cutting a gabbroic intrusive complex (Denezhkin Kamen complex, Russia). Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is parthéite used for?+

Parthéite is used in collector.

Find parthéite on the map

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