Seifertite is an extremely rare high-pressure polymorph of silica formed during the intense shock metamorphism of meteorites. It is only found in minute quantities within martian shergottite meteorites and is virtually impossible to identify without laboratory micro-analytical techniques.
Is this seifertite?
2-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 seifertite with a known reference. Seifertite sits at Mohs 7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: microscopic crystals.
Often confused with
Seifertite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside seifertite
Minerals reported to co-occur with seifertite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs hardness
- 7
- Density
- 4.294 g/cm³
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic crystals
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Formed by shock-induced solid-state transformation (> 35 GPa) of either tridymite or cristobalite in basaltic achondrite meteorites, presumably of Martian origin
Where rockhounds find seifertite
Classic worldwide localities
- Martian meteorite Shergotty that fell on August 25, 1865 in Bihar State, India and the Zagami meteorite that fell in Katsina Province, Nigeria on October 3, 1962
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Formed by shock-induced solid-state transformation (> 35 GPa) of either tridymite or cristobalite in basaltic achondrite meteorites, presumably of Martian origin. If you start seeing stishovite, silica glass in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify seifertite?+
Where is seifertite found?+
What rocks look like seifertite?+
What minerals are found with seifertite?+
What kind of rock does seifertite form in?+
What is seifertite used for?+
Find seifertite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
