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, 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.
