low cristobalite

mineral

Also known as: alpha-cristobalite, low-cristobalite

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June 11, 2026

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Cristobalite is a stable form of silica (SiO₂) found at high temperatures, specifically between 1,470° C (2,678° F) and its melting point of 1,728° C (3,142° F). It exists in two modifications: low-cristobalite and high-cristobalite. Low-cristobalite occurs naturally up to 268° C (514° F) but is not stable in this range. High-cristobalite is stable above 268° C but only truly stable above 1,470° C. Natural low-cristobalite is often found in igneous rocks. Cristobalite shares the same chemical composition as other silica minerals like quartz and tridymite but has a distinct crystal structure.12

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cristobalite
Cristobalite has two modifications: low-cristobalite, which occurs naturally up to 268° C (514° F) but is not stable; and high-cristobalite, which occurs above 268° C but is only stable above 1,470° C. Natural low-cristobalite usually occurs in sub-microcrystalline masses (see opal) or fibrous to columnar spherulites (see lussatite) in…
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Cristobalite has two modifications: low-cristobalite, which occurs naturally up to 268° C (514° F) but is not stable; and high-cristobalite, which occurs above 268° C but is only stable above 1,470° C. Natural low-cristobalite usually occurs in sub-microcrystalline masses (see opal) or fibrous to columnar spherulites (see lussatite) in…
Read More