Zadovite is a rare phosphate mineral found in pyrometamorphic combustion complexes within the Hatrurim Formation. It typically occurs as small tabular crystals associated with other high-temperature calcium-silicate minerals.

Hardness

5-5.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareHatrurite Group family

Zadovite

Hardness: 5-5.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this zadovite?

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 zadovite with a known reference. Zadovite sits at Mohs 5-5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, granular.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside zadovite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: BaCa₆[(SiO₄)(PO₄)](PO₄)₂F
Mohs hardness: 5-5.5
Density: 3.503 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals, granular
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In paralava veins cutting gehlenite-rich pyrometamorphic rock formed by the combustion of organic matter in the sedimentary protolith or methane released by tectonic forces

Where rockhounds find zadovite

Classic worldwide localities

Gurim Anticline, Hatrurim Basin, 5 km SE of Arad, Negev Desert, Israel

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In paralava veins cutting gehlenite-rich pyrometamorphic rock formed by the combustion of organic matter in the sedimentary protolith or methane released by tectonic forces. If you start seeing aradite, gehlenite, pseudowollastonite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify zadovite?+

Mohs hardness is 5-5.5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless.

Where is zadovite found?+

Notable localities include Gurim Anticline, Hatrurim Basin, 5 km SE of Arad, Negev Desert, Israel.

What rocks look like zadovite?+

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

What minerals are found with zadovite?+

Zadovite commonly co-occurs with Aradite, Gehlenite, Pseudowollastonite, Wollastonite, Andradite-schorlomite, Rankinite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does zadovite form in?+

Where it forms: In paralava veins cutting gehlenite-rich pyrometamorphic rock formed by the combustion of organic matter in the sedimentary protolith or methane released by tectonic forces. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is zadovite used for?+

Zadovite is used in collector.

Find zadovite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.