Tissintite is a very rare variety of pyroxene originally discovered in the Tissint Martian meteorite. It is characterized by its significant vacancy in the M2 site of the crystal structure, making it a unique planetary mineral known primarily to researchers and high-end meteorite collectors.
Is this tissintite?
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 tissintite with a known reference. Tissintite sits at Mohs 6-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Tissintite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Tissintite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Tissintite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside tissintite
Minerals reported to co-occur with tissintite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ca,Na,□)AlSi₂O₆
- Mohs hardness
- 6-7
- Density
- 3.31 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None Observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Martian Meteorites
- Typical price
- Expensive for professional research samples only.
Where rockhounds find tissintite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tissint, Morocco
Field-hunting tip
Look in martian meteorites country — that is the host setting where tissintite typically forms. If you start seeing maskelynite, olivine, chromite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find tissintite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
