Liottite is a very rare mineral belonging to the cancrinite group, typically found as small, clear prismatic crystals. It is most famously associated with the volcanic ejecta of the Somma-Vesuvius complex in Italy, where it occurs within cavities in volcanic rocks.
Is this liottite?
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 liottite with a known reference. Liottite sits at Mohs 5, 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: colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: prismatic.
Often confused with
Liottite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside liottite
Minerals reported to co-occur with liottite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₁₆Ca₈Si₁₈Al₁₈O₇₂(SO₄)₅Cl₄
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 2.56 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In cavities in ejecta blocks of metasomatized carbonate rocks in a pumice deposit
Where rockhounds find liottite
Classic worldwide localities
- Pitigliano, near Grosseto, Tuscany, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In cavities in ejecta blocks of metasomatized carbonate rocks in a pumice deposit. If you start seeing melilite, latiumite, clintonite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify liottite?+
Where is liottite found?+
What rocks look like liottite?+
What minerals are found with liottite?+
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What is liottite used for?+
Find liottite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
