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. Tuite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Tuite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: microscopic grains.

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: 3.32 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Microscopic Grains
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific Research
Host rock: Shocked Chondritic Meteorites
Typical price: very expensive, strictly for research and specialized institutional collections

Where rockhounds find tuite

Classic worldwide localities

Suizhou meteorite, China
Tenham meteorite, Australia

Field-hunting tip

Look in shocked chondritic meteorites country, the host setting where tuite typically forms. If you start seeing maskelynite, merrillite, chromite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a microscopic grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify tuite?+

Mohs hardness is 5-6. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white.

Where is tuite found?+

Notable localities include Suizhou meteorite, China; Tenham meteorite, Australia.

How much is tuite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of very expensive, strictly for research and specialized institutional collections. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

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 Maskelynite, Merrillite, Chromite, Troilite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does tuite form in?+

Tuite typically forms in shocked chondritic meteorites. 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.