Warkite is a rare calcium-scandium-aluminum oxide mineral discovered within the refractory inclusions of the Allende meteorite. It typically occurs as tiny, microscopic platy to prismatic crystals associated with other high-temperature phases in extraterrestrial material.
Is this warkite?
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 warkite with a known reference. Warkite sits at Mohs 5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Warkite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Warkite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: platy to prismatic crystals, often as inclusions in other minerals.
Often confused with
Warkite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside warkite
Minerals reported to co-occur with warkite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₄Sc₂Al₈O₁₈
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 3.32 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy to Prismatic Crystals, Often as Inclusions in Other Minerals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Calcium-Aluminum-rich Inclusions (CAIs) in CV3 Carbonaceous Chondrite Meteorites
- Typical price
- Extremely high for fragments due to meteorite provenance
Where rockhounds find warkite
Classic worldwide localities
- Allende Meteorite, Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Look in calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions (cais) in cv3 carbonaceous chondrite meteorites country — that is the host setting where warkite typically forms. If you start seeing grossular, melilite, perovskite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy to prismatic crystals, often as inclusions in other minerals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find warkite on the map
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