Rhodizite is an exceptionally hard and rare borate mineral prized by collectors for its brilliant luster and often small, sharp dodecahedral crystals. It is primarily found in complex granite pegmatites and is notable for its historical confusion with similar-looking minerals like Danburite. Collectors typically look for specimens from Madagascar, which can exhibit high-quality, gemmy crystal forms.
Is this rhodizite?
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 rhodizite with a known reference. Rhodizite sits at Mohs 8 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Rhodizite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Rhodizite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, yellow, greenish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: isometric. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals, often with rounded faces.
Often confused with
Rhodizite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside rhodizite
Minerals reported to co-occur with rhodizite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (K,Cs,Rb)Be₄Al₄(B,Be)₁₂O₂₈
- Mohs hardness
- 8
- Density
- 3.32-3.44 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Isometric
- Crystal habit
- Dodecahedral Crystals, Often with Rounded Faces
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Gemstone
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-500 per carat
Where rockhounds find rhodizite
Classic worldwide localities
- Madagascar
- Russia
- Myanmar
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where rhodizite typically forms. If you start seeing tourmaline, quartz, spodumene in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a dodecahedral crystals, often with rounded faces habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find rhodizite on the map
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