Tuscanite is an extremely rare silicate mineral found primarily within volcanic ejecta blocks in Italy. It typically appears as small yellow to yellowish-orange crystals and is prized specifically by advanced mineral collectors for its unique composition and limited occurrence.
Is this tuscanite?
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 tuscanite with a known reference. Tuscanite sits at Mohs 5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Tuscanite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Tuscanite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive.
Often confused with
Tuscanite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside tuscanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with tuscanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K(Ca,Na)₆(Si,Al)₁₀O₂₂(SO₄,CO₃,OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 2.56 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Volcanic Ejecta, Contact Metamorphosed Limestone
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find tuscanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Pitigliano, Tuscany, Italy
- Latera, Viterbo, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in volcanic ejecta, contact metamorphosed limestone country — that is the host setting where tuscanite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, sanidine, diopside in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify tuscanite?+
Where is tuscanite found?+
How much is tuscanite worth?+
What rocks look like tuscanite?+
What minerals are found with tuscanite?+
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Find tuscanite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
