Strontioruizite is an extremely rare strontium-dominant silicate mineral primarily found in hydrothermal vein deposits. It typically forms small, prismatic orange to brown crystals and is of interest primarily to advanced systematic mineral collectors due to its rarity.

Hardness

3.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Strontioruizite

Hardness: 3.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this strontioruizite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch strontioruizite with a known reference. Strontioruizite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Strontioruizite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Strontioruizite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: orange, brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.

Often confused with

Strontioruizite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Ruizite

Mohs 5

How to tell apart: Ruizite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 3.5).

How to tell apart: Prehnite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-6.5 vs. 3.5).

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Often found alongside strontioruizite

Minerals reported to co-occur with strontioruizite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₄Sr₂(Si₂O₇)(OH)₆·2H₂O
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Density: 2.84 g/cm³
Colors: Orange Brown
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Prismatic Crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Hydrothermal Veins in Limestone
Typical price: $100-500 per specimen

Where rockhounds find strontioruizite

Classic worldwide localities

Sierra de la Cruz, Coahuila, Mexico

Field-hunting tip

Look in hydrothermal veins in limestone country — that is the host setting where strontioruizite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, quartz, thaumasite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify strontioruizite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include orange, brown.

Where is strontioruizite found?+

Notable localities include Sierra de la Cruz, Coahuila, Mexico.

How much is strontioruizite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $100-500 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like strontioruizite?+

Strontioruizite is most often confused with Ruizite, Prehnite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with strontioruizite?+

Strontioruizite commonly co-occurs with Calcite, Quartz, Thaumasite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does strontioruizite form in?+

Strontioruizite typically forms in hydrothermal veins in limestone. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is strontioruizite used for?+

Strontioruizite is used in collector.

Find strontioruizite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.