Roggianite is a rare beryllium-bearing zeolite that typically forms delicate prismatic to acicular crystals in radial aggregates. It is predominantly found in hydrothermal cavity fillings in volcanic rocks and is highly prized by zeolite collectors for its scarcity.
Is this roggianite?
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 roggianite with a known reference. Roggianite sits at Mohs 5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Roggianite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Roggianite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, yellowish-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Roggianite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside roggianite
Minerals reported to co-occur with roggianite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂Be(OH)₂Si₄O₁₀·n(H₂O)
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 2.1-2.2 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins in Volcanic Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find roggianite
Classic worldwide localities
- Alpe della Fricolla, Italy
- Val di Fiemme, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins in volcanic rocks country — that is the host setting where roggianite typically forms. If you start seeing epistilbite, heulandite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find roggianite on the map
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