Rhodesite is a rare hydrous silicate that typically forms delicate, fibrous, or acicular sprays and radiating white balls. It is most commonly found as a late-stage crystallization in cavities within alkaline igneous rocks and basaltic environments. Collectors prize it for its unique, fragile structure, which requires careful handling to maintain the integrity of its sprays.
Is this rhodesite?
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 rhodesite with a known reference. Rhodesite sits at Mohs 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Rhodesite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Rhodesite typically shows a silky luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: fibrous, acicular, radiating spherical aggregates.
Often confused with
Rhodesite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads silky on Rhodesite and pearly on Okenite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads silky on Rhodesite and vitreous to silky on Pectolite.
How to tell apart: Mesolite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 3-4); luster reads silky on Rhodesite and vitreous on Mesolite.
Often found alongside rhodesite
Minerals reported to co-occur with rhodesite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K₂Ca₄Si₁₀O₂₅·12H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 2.16 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Silky
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous, Acicular, Radiating Spherical Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks, Hydrothermally Altered Basaltic Cavities
- Typical price
- $20-100 for small clusters
Where rockhounds find rhodesite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bultfontein mine, South Africa
- Zeilberg, Germany
- Khibiny Massif, Russia
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks, hydrothermally altered basaltic cavities country — that is the host setting where rhodesite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, apophyllite, natrolite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a fibrous, acicular, radiating spherical aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find rhodesite on the map
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