Sarcolite is an exceptionally rare silicate mineral primarily found in ejected blocks at Mount Vesuvius in Italy. It typically forms small, glassy, pinkish to reddish prismatic crystals in contact-metamorphosed limestone.
Is this sarcolite?
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 sarcolite with a known reference. Sarcolite sits at Mohs 6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Sarcolite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Sarcolite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pink, red, white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: short prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Sarcolite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside sarcolite
Minerals reported to co-occur with sarcolite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Na,Ca)₈Al₆Si₆(O,F,Cl)₂₄(PO₄,SO₄,CO₃)
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 2.9 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Short Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {110}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Limestone Blocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find sarcolite
Classic worldwide localities
- Monte Somma, Italy
- Vesuvius, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed limestone blocks country, the host setting where sarcolite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, nepheline, vesuvianite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a short prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find sarcolite on the map
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