Amamoorite is a rare zeolite mineral specifically identified from the Amamoor district in Queensland, Australia. It occurs primarily as thin, bladed crystals and is considered a distinctive locality variant within the stilbite group.
Is this amamoorite?
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 amamoorite with a known reference. Amamoorite sits at Mohs 3.5-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Amamoorite leaves a brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Amamoorite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: shiny black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: bladed.
Often confused with
Amamoorite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Amamoorite leaves brown, Stilbite-Ca leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Amamoorite leaves brown, Heulandite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Amamoorite and vitreous to pearly on Heulandite.
Often found alongside amamoorite
Minerals reported to co-occur with amamoorite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaMn²⁺₂Mn³⁺(Si₂O₇)O(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 3.88 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brown
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Bladed
- Cleavage
- Fair On {100} and {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Volcanic Rocks
Where rockhounds find amamoorite
Classic worldwide localities
- Amamoor, Queensland, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Look in volcanic rocks country, the host setting where amamoorite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, calcite, zeolites in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a bladed habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify amamoorite?+
Where is amamoorite found?+
What rocks look like amamoorite?+
What minerals are found with amamoorite?+
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Find amamoorite on the map
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