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. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish white, 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
- Ca₂BeAl₂Si₄O₁₃(OH)₂·nH₂O (n < 2.5)
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 2.02 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic crystals, radial aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {110}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Coating fractures in a sodic feldspar dike which cuts gneiss (Alpe Rosso, Italy)
Where rockhounds find roggianite
Classic worldwide localities
- Alpe Rosso and Pizzo Marcio, Val Vigezzo, Piedmont, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Coating fractures in a sodic feldspar dike which cuts gneiss (Alpe Rosso, Italy). If you start seeing thomsonite, bertrandite, chrysoberyl in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, radial aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify roggianite?+
Where is roggianite found?+
Is roggianite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like roggianite?+
What minerals are found with roggianite?+
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Find roggianite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
