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 — that is 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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