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. Terranovaite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Terranovaite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy crystals, radial aggregates.
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
- 2.22 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Good On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Basaltic Vesicles
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find terranovaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Terra Nova, Newfoundland, Canada
- Iceland
Field-hunting tip
Look in basaltic vesicles country — that is the host setting where terranovaite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, calcite, heulandite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find terranovaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
