Reyerite is a rare phyllosilicate mineral that forms delicate, pearly-lustered platy or foliated aggregates. It is typically found lining cavities in basaltic rocks, often occurring in association with secondary minerals like gyrolite and apophyllite.

Hardness

3-4

Mohs

Luster

Pearly

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Reyerite

Hardness: 3-4
Luster: Pearly
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this reyerite?

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 reyerite with a known reference. Reyerite sits at Mohs 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Reyerite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Reyerite typically shows a pearly luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, colorless, pale yellow, brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, foliated masses, rosettes.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Reyerite and vitreous to pearly on Apophyllite.

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Often found alongside reyerite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: (Na,K)₂Ca₁₄Si₂₂Al₂O₅₈(OH)₈·6H₂O
Mohs hardness: 3-4
Density: 2.47 g/cm³
Colors: White Colorless Pale Yellow Brown
Streak: White
Luster: Pearly
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Platy Crystals, Foliated Masses, Rosettes
Cleavage: Perfect Basal
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Basaltic Vugs and Cavities
Typical price: $20-150 for display specimens

Where rockhounds find reyerite

Classic worldwide localities

Greenland
Iceland
India
Scotland
Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in basaltic vugs and cavities country — that is the host setting where reyerite typically forms. If you start seeing gyrolite, apophyllite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, foliated masses, rosettes habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify reyerite?+

Mohs hardness is 3-4. It typically shows a pearly luster. The streak is white. Common colors include white, colorless, pale yellow, brown.

Where is reyerite found?+

Notable localities include Greenland; Iceland; India; Scotland; Russia.

How much is reyerite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $20-150 for display specimens. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like reyerite?+

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

What minerals are found with reyerite?+

Reyerite commonly co-occurs with Gyrolite, Apophyllite, Calcite, Zeolites, Prehnite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does reyerite form in?+

Reyerite typically forms in basaltic vugs and cavities. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is reyerite used for?+

Reyerite is used in collector.

Find reyerite on the map

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