Sharyginite is an extremely rare calcium-titanium-iron oxide found primarily in pyrometamorphic complexes where limestone and bituminous rocks have interacted. It typically occurs as small, dark, anhedral grains within mineral-rich high-temperature metamorphic assemblages. Due to its discovery in specific, restricted geologic environments like the Hatrurim Formation, it is primarily a target for advanced mineralogists and systematic collection.
Is this sharyginite?
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 sharyginite with a known reference. Sharyginite sits at Mohs 5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Sharyginite leaves a brownish black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Sharyginite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Sharyginite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside sharyginite
Minerals reported to co-occur with sharyginite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₄TiFe₂O₁₀
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 4.67 g/cm³
- Streak
- Brownish Black
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Pyrometamorphic Rocks
Where rockhounds find sharyginite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hatrurim Formation, Israel
- Buhovo, Bulgaria
Field-hunting tip
Look in pyrometamorphic rocks country, the host setting where sharyginite typically forms. If you start seeing ettringite, portlandite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify sharyginite?+
Where is sharyginite found?+
What rocks look like sharyginite?+
What minerals are found with sharyginite?+
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Find sharyginite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
