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Humite is the namesake mineral of the humite group. The name can be used to describe the humite group, or the individual member Humite. Humite is very similar structurally to Chondrodite and Clinohumite, but forms in a different chemical structure than those minerals. Humite was named in 1813 in honor of Sir Abraham Hume (1749-1838), English connoisseur and collector. |
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Chemical Formula |
(Mg,Fe2+)7(SiO4)3(F,OH)2 |
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Composition |
Magnesium iron fluoro-hydroxyl-silicate |
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Color |
Brown, reddish-brown, amber, yellow, grayish-yellow, orange |
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Streak |
White |
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Hardness |
6 - 6.5 |
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Crystal System |
Orthorhombic |
Crystal Forms
and Aggregates |
Forms as small tabular and prismatic crystals that are often rounded. Most commonly in embedded grains. Crystals may be striated. |
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Transparency |
Transparent to translucent |
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Specific Gravity |
3.1 - 3.2 |
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Luster |
Resinous, vitreous |
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Cleavage |
3,1 |
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Fracture |
Subconchoidal to uneven |
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Tenacity |
Brittle |
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Other ID Marks |
May display yellow fluorescence. |
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In Group |
Silicates; Nesosilicates; Humite Group |
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Striking Features |
Color, crystal habits, and hardness |
| Environment |
In marbles, metamorphosed dolomites and hornfels, serpentine deposits, and altered volcanic rock. |
| Rock Type |
Metamorphic |
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Popularity (1-4)
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3 |
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Prevalence (1-3)
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3 |
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Demand (1-3) |
3 |
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Humite is an uncommon mineral, with only few localities producing collector specimens. The most well-known locality is the type locality of Monte Somma, Vesuvius, Italy, which has produced highly transparent microcrystals that are often light in color. In the U.S., Humite has come from the Tilly Foster Mine, Brewster, Putnam Co., New York; and from Franklin, Sussex Co., New Jersey, though it may be mistaken for Chondrodite at these locations.
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