Schorlomite is a rare titanium-rich member of the garnet group, typically identified by its striking black color and brilliant sub-metallic to vitreous luster. It is most frequently found in alkaline igneous complexes and carbonatites, often appearing as distinct dodecahedral crystals. Collectors prize it for its unique chemistry and rarity compared to more common garnet species.
Is this schorlomite?
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 schorlomite with a known reference. Schorlomite sits at Mohs 7-7.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: grayish black to red-orange or orange-brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pitch black, brownish black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Schorlomite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Schorlomite leaves grayish black to red-orange or orange-brown, Andradite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Schorlomite and adamantine to resinous, dull on Andradite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Schorlomite leaves grayish black to red-orange or orange-brown, Melanite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Schorlomite and subadamantine to vitreous on Melanite.
Often found alongside schorlomite
Minerals reported to co-occur with schorlomite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₃Ti₂Fe₂SiO₁₂
- Mohs hardness
- 7-7.5
- Density
- 3.69-3.88 g/cm³
- Colors
- Pitch blackBrownish black
- Streak
- Grayish black to red-orange or orange-brown
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent to nearly opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In carbonatites, syenites, and phonolites; also in skarns
Where rockhounds find schorlomite
Classic worldwide localities
- Magnet Cove, Hot Spring Co., Arkansas, and near the Gem mine, San Benito Co., California, USA
- Jacupiranga mine, São Paulo, Brazil
- Camphouse, Ardnamurchan, Argyllshire, Scotland
- Alnö Island, Sweden
- Iivaara, Kuusamo, Finland
- Tokatoka district, about 150 km north of Auckland, New Zealand
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In carbonatites, syenites, and phonolites; also in skarns. If you start seeing leucite, brookite, nepheline in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify schorlomite?+
Where is schorlomite found?+
What rocks look like schorlomite?+
What minerals are found with schorlomite?+
What kind of rock does schorlomite form in?+
What is schorlomite used for?+
Find schorlomite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
