Tazzoliite is a rare barium-titanium silicate mineral found primarily in volcanic ejecta blocks at Mount Vesuvius. It typically forms as small, pale orange, elongated prismatic crystals embedded within alkaline volcanic rocks.
Is this tazzoliite?
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 tazzoliite with a known reference. Tazzoliite sits at Mohs 5-5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Tazzoliite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Tazzoliite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pale orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Tazzoliite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside tazzoliite
Minerals reported to co-occur with tazzoliite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ba₂CaSr₀.₅Na₀.₅Ti₂Nb₃SiO₁₇[PO₂(OH)₂]₀.₅
- Mohs hardness
- 5-5.5
- Density
- 4.28 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Volcanic Ejecta
Where rockhounds find tazzoliite
Classic worldwide localities
- Vesuvius, Italy
- Monte Somma, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in volcanic ejecta country, the host setting where tazzoliite typically forms. If you start seeing sanidine, nepheline, pyroxene in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify tazzoliite?+
Where is tazzoliite found?+
What rocks look like tazzoliite?+
What minerals are found with tazzoliite?+
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Find tazzoliite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
