Woodallite is a rare hydrated magnesium chromium chloride hydroxide mineral found in serpentinized ultramafic rocks. It typically forms as thin, yellow-to-brown platy crystals or aggregates within chromite-rich environments, specifically known from the Woodall mine in Western Australia.

Hardness

2-3

Mohs

Luster

Pearly

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareHydrotalcite Group family

Woodallite

Hardness: 2-3
Luster: Pearly
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

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Is this woodallite?

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 woodallite with a known reference. Woodallite sits at Mohs 2-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Woodallite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Woodallite typically shows a pearly luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: platy crystals.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Woodallite and waxy on Stichtite.

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Often found alongside woodallite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Mg₆Cr₂(OH)₁₆Cl₂·4H₂O
Mohs hardness: 2-3
Density: 2.44 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Brown
Streak: White
Luster: Pearly
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Platy Crystals
Cleavage: Perfect Basal
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Ultramafic Rocks
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find woodallite

Classic worldwide localities

Woodall mine, Western Australia

Field-hunting tip

Look in ultramafic rocks country — that is the host setting where woodallite typically forms. If you start seeing stichtite, magnetite, serpentine in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify woodallite?+

Mohs hardness is 2-3. It typically shows a pearly luster. The streak is white. Common colors include yellow, brown.

Where is woodallite found?+

Notable localities include Woodall mine, Western Australia.

How much is woodallite 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 woodallite?+

Woodallite is most often confused with Hydrotalcite, Stichtite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with woodallite?+

Woodallite commonly co-occurs with Stichtite, Magnetite, Serpentine. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does woodallite form in?+

Woodallite typically forms in ultramafic rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is woodallite used for?+

Woodallite is used in collector.

Find woodallite on the map

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