Virgilite is a rare lithium-aluminosilicate mineral primarily identified in volcanic glassy matrices. It often occurs as microscopic inclusions or fine-grained aggregates within rhyolitic rocks and is highly valued by mineralogists for its unique structural relationship to the spodumene group.
Is this virgilite?
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 virgilite with a known reference. Virgilite sits at Mohs 6-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Virgilite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Virgilite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: massive, glassy grains.
Often confused with
Virgilite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside virgilite
Minerals reported to co-occur with virgilite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- LiₓAlₓSi₃₋ₓO₆
- Mohs hardness
- 6-7
- Density
- 2.35 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Glassy Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Volcanic Rocks, Specifically Rhyolitic Glasses
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find virgilite
Classic worldwide localities
- Lipari, Aeolian Islands, Italy
- Kings Mountain, North Carolina, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in volcanic rocks, specifically rhyolitic glasses country — that is the host setting where virgilite typically forms. If you start seeing rhyolite, sanidine, tridymite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, glassy grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify virgilite?+
Where is virgilite found?+
How much is virgilite worth?+
What rocks look like virgilite?+
What minerals are found with virgilite?+
What kind of rock does virgilite form in?+
What is virgilite used for?+
Find virgilite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
