Megawite is a rare calcium tin oxide, typically pale yellow or colorless. It is an occurs as minute inclusions in rock-forming minerals in altered ignimbrite xenoliths in a caldera. It was first described from Upper Chegem caldera, Kabardino-Balkaria, Northern Caucasus, Russia.
Is this megawite?
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 megawite with a known reference. Megawite sits at Mohs 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: pale yellow, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Megawite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside megawite
Minerals reported to co-occur with megawite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaSnO₃
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 5.06 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals
- Cleavage
- Good on {110} and {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Occurs as minute inclusions in rock-forming minerals in altered ignimbrite xenoliths in a caldera
Where rockhounds find megawite
Classic worldwide localities
- Upper Chegem caldera, Kabardino-Balkaria, Northern Caucasus, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Occurs as minute inclusions in rock-forming minerals in altered ignimbrite xenoliths in a caldera. If you start seeing spurrite, reinhardbraunsite, rondorfite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify megawite?+
Where is megawite found?+
What rocks look like megawite?+
What minerals are found with megawite?+
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What is megawite used for?+
Find megawite on the map
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