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 ~5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless.
- 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
- ~5
- Density
- 3.06 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals, massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- metamorphic rocks formed by high-temperature combustion, alkaline igneous rocks
Where rockhounds find silicocarnotite
Classic worldwide localities
- Paleolithic stone-tool workshops on the eastern slope of Mt. Har Parsa and near Tsomet Hatrurim, between Arad and the Dead Sea, Negev Desert, Israel
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: metamorphic rocks formed by high-temperature combustion, alkaline igneous rocks. If you start seeing andradite, fluorapatite, rankinite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify silicocarnotite?+
Where is silicocarnotite found?+
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.
