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. Tschernichite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Tschernichite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, yellowish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: bladed crystals, radial aggregates.
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
- (Ca,Na,K)₃(Si,Al)₂₀O₄₀·15H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 2.14 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Bladed Crystals, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Basaltic Vugs and Vesicles
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find tschernichite
Classic worldwide localities
- Goblin Knob, Washington, USA
- Skye, Scotland
- Mount Kolsas, Norway
Field-hunting tip
Look in basaltic vugs and vesicles country, the host setting where tschernichite typically forms. If you start seeing heulandite, stilbite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a bladed crystals, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify tschernichite?+
Where is tschernichite found?+
How much is tschernichite worth?+
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.
