Shulamitite is a rare mineral belonging to the perovskite supergroup, found primarily within pyrometamorphic combustion complexes. It typically occurs as small, black grains and is recognized for its unique chemical composition involving calcium, titanium, iron, and aluminum.
Is this shulamitite?
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 shulamitite with a known reference. Shulamitite 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. Shulamitite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Shulamitite 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 to subhedral grains.
Often confused with
Shulamitite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Shulamitite leaves black, Perovskite leaves white; luster reads submetallic on Shulamitite and adamantine on Perovskite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads submetallic on Shulamitite and metallic on Magnetite.
Often found alongside shulamitite
Minerals reported to co-occur with shulamitite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₃TiFeAlO₈
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 4.67 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral to Subhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Pyrometamorphic Rocks
- Typical price
- n/a
Where rockhounds find shulamitite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hatrurim Formation, Israel
- Palastine
Field-hunting tip
Look in pyrometamorphic rocks country — that is the host setting where shulamitite typically forms. If you start seeing gehlenite, wollastonite, anorthite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral to subhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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What rocks look like shulamitite?+
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Find shulamitite on the map
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