Tuite is a high-pressure polymorph of calcium phosphate formed during hypervelocity impact events on meteorites. It typically occurs as microscopic grains within shocked shock-melt veins in chondrites, making it a key indicator of extreme pressure conditions in planetary science.

Hardness

5-6

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareApatite Group family

Tuite

Hardness: 5-6
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this tuite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch tuite with a known reference. Tuite sits at Mohs 5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, yellowish gray.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: microscopic crystals.

Often confused with

Tuite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside tuite

Minerals reported to co-occur with tuite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: γ-Ca₃(PO₄)₂
Mohs hardness: 5-6
Density: 3.447 g/cm³
Colors: White Yellowish gray
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Microscopic crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific research
Host rock: Formed by solid state transformation of whitlockite in a vein of shock-melted material in a chondritic meteorite

Where rockhounds find tuite

Classic worldwide localities

Suizhou L6 chondrite meteorite, which fell in 1986 in Dayanpo, 12.5 km southeast of the city of Suizhou, Hubei Province, Peoples Republic of China (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Formed by solid state transformation of whitlockite in a vein of shock-melted material in a chondritic meteorite. If you start seeing ringwoodite, majorite, feni metal in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify tuite?+

Mohs hardness is 5-6. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include white, yellowish gray.

Where is tuite found?+

Notable localities include Suizhou L6 chondrite meteorite, which fell in 1986 in Dayanpo, 12.5 km southeast of the city of Suizhou, Hubei Province, Peoples Republic of China (type locality).

What rocks look like tuite?+

Tuite is most often confused with Apatite, Whitlockite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with tuite?+

Tuite commonly co-occurs with Ringwoodite, Majorite, FeNi metal, Troilite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does tuite form in?+

Where it forms: Formed by solid state transformation of whitlockite in a vein of shock-melted material in a chondritic meteorite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is tuite used for?+

Tuite is used in collector, scientific research.

Find tuite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.