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, 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
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Find virgilite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
