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, 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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