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?
3-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.
- 2Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, purple likely.
- 3Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. 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
- Ca₂Sc₆Al₆O₂₀
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 3.70-3.78 g/cm³
- Colors
- BluePurple likely
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy to prismatic crystals, often as inclusions in other minerals
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- In ultra-refractory Ca, Al-rich inclusions (UR CAIs) from CM, CV, CO, and CH chondrite meteorites
Where rockhounds find warkite
Classic worldwide localities
- Allende Meteorite, Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In ultra-refractory Ca, Al-rich inclusions (UR CAIs) from CM, CV, CO, and CH chondrite meteorites. If you start seeing ti-rich oxide, perovskite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy to prismatic crystals, often as inclusions in other minerals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify warkite?+
Where is warkite found?+
What rocks look like warkite?+
What minerals are found with warkite?+
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What is warkite used for?+
Find warkite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
