Nataliakulikite is a rare calcium titanium iron oxide that forms brown subhedral or prismatic grains. It occurs in high-temperature, pyrometamorphic, larnite-gehlenite rock (HT-region of the spurrite-merwinite facies). It was first described from Nahal Morag Canyon, Negev desert, ~5 km southeast of Arad, Hatrurim Basin, Israel.
Is this nataliakulikite?
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 nataliakulikite with a known reference. Nataliakulikite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: light brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: submetallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: subhedral or prismatic grains.
Often found alongside nataliakulikite
Minerals reported to co-occur with nataliakulikite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₄Ti₂(Fe³⁺,Fe²⁺)(Si,Fe³⁺,Al)O₁₁
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 4.006 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light brown
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Subhedral or prismatic grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- pyrometamorphic rocks of the Hatrurim Formation
Where rockhounds find nataliakulikite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hatrurim Formation, Israel
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: pyrometamorphic rocks of the Hatrurim Formation. If you start seeing fluorapatite, brownmillerite, gehlenite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: subhedral or prismatic grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify nataliakulikite?+
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Find nataliakulikite on the map
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