Zorite is a rare sodium titanium silicate mineral typically found in the alkaline complexes of the Kola Peninsula. It is easily identified by its distinctive pink to reddish fibrous, radiating crystal sprays that often stand out against grey or white matrix rocks.
Is this zorite?
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 zorite with a known reference. Zorite 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. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular or fibrous crystals forming radiating sprays.
Often confused with
Zorite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside zorite
Minerals reported to co-occur with zorite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₆Ti₅Si₁₂O₃₄(O,OH)₅·11H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 2.27-2.40 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular or fibrous crystals forming radiating sprays
- Cleavage
- {010} and {001}, perfect; {110}, less so
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- On walls of fractures filled with nepheline in the central natrolite region of a pegmatite vein in a differentiated alkalic massif
Where rockhounds find zorite
Classic worldwide localities
- Jubilee pegmatite, on Mt. Karnasurt, Lovozero massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: On walls of fractures filled with nepheline in the central natrolite region of a pegmatite vein in a differentiated alkalic massif. If you start seeing nepheline, aegirine, mountainite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular or fibrous crystals forming radiating sprays. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify zorite?+
Where is zorite found?+
What rocks look like zorite?+
What minerals are found with zorite?+
What kind of rock does zorite form in?+
What is zorite used for?+
Find zorite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
