Silicocarnotite is a rare phosphate-silicate mineral member of the apatite group. It is primarily found in high-temperature geological environments such as combustion metamorphic complexes or specific alkaline igneous settings, often appearing as small, transparent tabular crystals.
Is this silicocarnotite?
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 silicocarnotite with a known reference. Silicocarnotite sits at Mohs 4.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Silicocarnotite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Silicocarnotite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive.
Often confused with
Silicocarnotite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside silicocarnotite
Minerals reported to co-occur with silicocarnotite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₅(PO₄)₂(SiO₄)
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 3.36 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive
- Cleavage
- Poor
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Rocks Formed By High-temperature Combustion, Alkaline Igneous Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find silicocarnotite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Hatrurim Formation, Israel
- Bellerberg, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic rocks formed by high-temperature combustion, alkaline igneous rocks country, the host setting where silicocarnotite typically forms. If you start seeing fluorapatite, rankinite, gehlenite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify silicocarnotite?+
Where is silicocarnotite found?+
How much is silicocarnotite worth?+
What rocks look like silicocarnotite?+
What minerals are found with silicocarnotite?+
What kind of rock does silicocarnotite form in?+
What is silicocarnotite used for?+
Find silicocarnotite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
