Zeophyllite is a rare calcium silicate mineral characterized by its delicate, platy or rosette-like crystal clusters. It is typically found in the cavities of basaltic rocks and is highly prized by collectors for its distinctive pearly luster and soft, pale coloration.
Is this zeophyllite?
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 zeophyllite with a known reference. Zeophyllite sits at Mohs 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Zeophyllite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Zeophyllite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, yellow, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, rosettes, radiating aggregates.
Often confused with
Zeophyllite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Zeophyllite and vitreous to pearly on Apophyllite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Zeophyllite and vitreous on Stilbite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Zeophyllite and vitreous to pearly on Heulandite.
Often found alongside zeophyllite
Minerals reported to co-occur with zeophyllite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₁₃Si₁₀O₂₈(OH)₁₀F₂·6H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 2.47 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Rosettes, Radiating Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Cavities in Volcanic Rocks
- Typical price
- $20-150 for thumbnail specimens
Where rockhounds find zeophyllite
Classic worldwide localities
- Czech Republic
- Germany
- USA
- Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal cavities in volcanic rocks country — that is the host setting where zeophyllite typically forms. If you start seeing apophyllite, calcite, natrolite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, rosettes, radiating aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find zeophyllite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
