Mineral Guide · Mineral

Humite

Humite is a magnesium silicate fluoride-hydroxide and the namesake of a structurally related group found in skarns and magnesium-rich metamorphic rocks.

Interactive 3D structure

Crystal structure

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Mineral properties

Formula: Mg₇Si₃O₁₂(F,OH)₂
Class: Silicates
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Typical colours: green, brown, yellow, orange
Lustre: Resinous, Vitreous
Hardness: 6.00-6.50
Specific gravity: 3.10-3.20
Crystal habit: Granular, Massive, Prismatic
Origin: magnesian skarns, contact-metamorphic limestones and magnesium-rich metamorphic rocks

What is Humite?

Humite is a magnesium silicate fluoride-hydroxide and the namesake of a structurally related group found in skarns and magnesium-rich metamorphic rocks.

Mineralogy and structure

Reference formula: Mg₇Si₃O₁₂(F,OH)₂. Humite has an orthorhombic structure built from blocks related to olivine and brucite-like layers. Fluorine and hydroxyl substitutions link it to chondrodite and clinohumite. Humite belongs to the silicates and has a orthorhombic crystal system. Typical hardness is 6–6.5 on the Mohs scale and specific gravity is approximately 3.1–3.2.

Colour and appearance

Typical colours include yellow, brown, orange, green. The usual prismatic, granular, massive habit and vitreous, resinous lustre are useful descriptive features, but colour alone is not diagnostic.

Formation and localities

Humite forms in or is associated with magnesian skarns, contact-metamorphic limestones and magnesium-rich metamorphic rocks. Important documented localities include Italy, Norway, Sweden, Pakistan, the United States and Canada.

Collecting and care

Protect transparent crystals and cleavage edges; keep the skarn locality with the specimen.

Sources and editorial review

Reviewed by NotOnlyRocks Editorial Team

Last reviewed: 31 August 2026

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