Wadsleyite is a high-pressure polymorph of forsterite that originates in the Earth's transition zone between 410 and 520 km depth. Collectors typically find it only as minute, rare inclusions within shocked chondritic meteorites that have undergone extreme high-pressure impacts.
Is this wadsleyite?
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 wadsleyite with a known reference. Wadsleyite sits at Mohs 6.5-7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: light gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: microscopic crystals, inclusions.
Often confused with
Wadsleyite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside wadsleyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with wadsleyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- β-Mg₂SiO₄
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5-7
- Density
- 3.84 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic crystals, inclusions
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- In fragments within a vein in a hypersthene-olivine chondritic meteorite, believed to have formed during an extraterrestrial shock event
Where rockhounds find wadsleyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Peace River meteorite (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In fragments within a vein in a hypersthene-olivine chondritic meteorite, believed to have formed during an extraterrestrial shock event. If you start seeing majorite, ringwoodite, olivine in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic crystals, inclusions. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify wadsleyite?+
Where is wadsleyite found?+
What rocks look like wadsleyite?+
What minerals are found with wadsleyite?+
What kind of rock does wadsleyite form in?+
What is wadsleyite used for?+
Find wadsleyite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
