Tschernichite is an exceptionally rare zeolite mineral that forms in the vesicles of volcanic rocks. It is most notably recognized by its delicate bladed or lath-like crystal habits which typically aggregate into radial sprays inside basalt cavities.
Is this tschernichite?
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 tschernichite with a known reference. Tschernichite 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, milky white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: aggregates, druse.
Often confused with
Tschernichite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside tschernichite
Minerals reported to co-occur with tschernichite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaAl₂Si₆O₁₆·8H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 2.02 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Aggregates, druse
- Cleavage
- None
- Fluorescence
- Pale yellow under SW and LW UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In vesicles in an olivine basalt, formed by hydrothermal action
Where rockhounds find tschernichite
Classic worldwide localities
- Neer Road pit, Goble, Columbia Co., Oregon, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In vesicles in an olivine basalt, formed by hydrothermal action. If you start seeing zeolites, apophyllite, copper in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, druse. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify tschernichite?+
Where is tschernichite found?+
What rocks look like tschernichite?+
What minerals are found with tschernichite?+
What kind of rock does tschernichite form in?+
What is tschernichite used for?+
Find tschernichite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
