Terranovaite is a rare zeolite mineral that typically occurs as white or colorless radial clusters within the vesicles of basaltic rocks. It is most easily identified by its occurrence in specific volcanic environments, though it is often visually indistinguishable from other zeolites without analytical verification.
Is this terranovaite?
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 terranovaite with a known reference. Terranovaite 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. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, bluish white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: globular.
Often confused with
Terranovaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside terranovaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with terranovaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaCa₆(Si₂₇Al₉)O₇₂·22H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 1.98-2.13 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Globular
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {010}; parting on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In cavities in dolorites
Where rockhounds find terranovaite
Classic worldwide localities
- The southwest crest, just below the summit of Mt. Adamson, Northern Victoria Land, Antarctica (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In cavities in dolorites. If you start seeing quartz, calcite, heulandite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: globular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify terranovaite?+
Where is terranovaite found?+
What rocks look like terranovaite?+
What minerals are found with terranovaite?+
What kind of rock does terranovaite form in?+
What is terranovaite used for?+
Find terranovaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
