How do I identify Marialite?

Marialite can be identified by its hardness of 5.5 - 6 on the Mohs scale, Colourless color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.

What color is Marialite?

Marialite typically appears in Colourless, white, bluish, brownish, yellowish, violet, greenish. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.

How hard is Marialite?

Marialite has a hardness of 5.5 - 6 on the Mohs scale. This gives it moderate hardness.

Marialite

A variety of Minerals

What is Marialite?

Marialite is a silicate mineral with a chemical composition of Na4Al3Si9O24Cl if a pure endmember or Na4(AlSi3O8)3(Cl2,CO3,SO4) with increasing meionite content. Marialite is a member of the scapolite group and a solid solution exists between marialite and meionite, the calcium endmember. It is a rare mineral usually used as a collector's stone. It has a very rare but attractive gemstones and cat's eye.

Optical Properties

Refractive Index: 1.540-1.550
Birefringence: 0.004-0.008
Optical Character: Uniaxial negative

Marialite Market Value Calculator

Estimate the market value of Marialite using size, quality, and finish. This preview calculator is for quick context and is not a formal appraisal.

Marialite Localities Map

See where Marialite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.

Map preview

North ZoneCentral RidgeSouth Basin

Key Characteristics

Formation of Marialite

Marialite was first described in 1866 for an occurrence in the Phlegrean Volcanic complex, Campania, Italy. It was named by German mineralogist Gerhard vom Rath for his wife, Maria Rosa vom Rath. Marialite occurs in regional and contact metamorphism: marble, calcareous gneiss, granulite and greenschist. It also occurs in skarn, pegmatite and hydrothermally altered volcanic rocks. This means that Marialite is formed in high pressure and/or high temperature environments.