Wadalite is a rare calcium-aluminum silicate chloride mineral typically occurring as small, transparent dodecahedral crystals. It is primarily found in contact-metamorphosed limestone xenoliths within volcanic rocks, often requiring microscopic study for positive identification.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareMayenite Supergroup family

Wadalite

Hardness: 6
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this wadalite?

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 wadalite with a known reference. Wadalite sits at Mohs 6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Wadalite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Wadalite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, pale yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals.

Often confused with

Wadalite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside wadalite

Minerals reported to co-occur with wadalite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₆Al₅Si₂O₁₆Cl
Mohs hardness: 6
Density: 3.18 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless Pale Yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Dodecahedral Crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Metamorphosed Limestone Xenoliths
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find wadalite

Classic worldwide localities

Wada, Japan
Bellerberg Volcano, Germany

Field-hunting tip

Look in metamorphosed limestone xenoliths country, the host setting where wadalite typically forms. If you start seeing gehlenite, spinell, perovskite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a dodecahedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify wadalite?+

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

Where is wadalite found?+

Notable localities include Wada, Japan; Bellerberg Volcano, Germany.

How much is wadalite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like wadalite?+

Wadalite is most often confused with Grossularite Garnet. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with wadalite?+

Wadalite commonly co-occurs with Gehlenite, Spinell, Perovskite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does wadalite form in?+

Wadalite typically forms in metamorphosed limestone xenoliths. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is wadalite used for?+

Wadalite is used in collector.

Find wadalite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.