Stichtite is a soft, vibrant lilac to purple mineral typically found in serpentinite rocks as a secondary alteration product of chromite. It is prized by lapidary enthusiasts for its ability to take a polish and is frequently associated with green serpentine in the attractive rock known as Stichtite-in-Serpentine.
Is this stichtite?
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 stichtite with a known reference. Stichtite sits at Mohs 1.5-2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Stichtite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Stichtite typically shows a waxy luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lilac, purple, pink, violet.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: massive, micaceous, foliated aggregates.
Often confused with
Stichtite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside stichtite
Minerals reported to co-occur with stichtite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mg₆Cr₂(OH)₁₆CO₃·4H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5-2
- Density
- 2.1-2.2 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Waxy
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Micaceous, Foliated Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Lapidary, Decorative
- Host rock
- Serpentinite Bodies
- Typical price
- $10-50 per specimen depending on quality and size
Where rockhounds find stichtite
Classic worldwide localities
- Dundas, Tasmania
- Barberton, South Africa
- Quebec, Canada
- Kettle River, Washington
Field-hunting tip
Look in serpentinite bodies country — that is the host setting where stichtite typically forms. If you start seeing serpentine, chromite, magnetite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, micaceous, foliated aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify stichtite?+
Where is stichtite found?+
How much is stichtite worth?+
What rocks look like stichtite?+
What minerals are found with stichtite?+
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Find stichtite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
