Unusual Minerals You May Never Have Heard Of

(and a Few You Definitely Haven’t!)

Unusual minerals can be found all over the world — and sometimes, in the most unexpected places. Over the years, I’ve had so many people bring me their mysterious finds, asking what they’ve discovered. It might be a crystal they picked up on a bushwalk, something that’s lost its label over time, or a curious gift from someone who "thought it looked pretty."

It’s always fascinating to see what people find and where they found it. Today, I want to highlight a few of the most common mystery stones I’ve come across — and some of the most sought-after, which have left even seasoned collectors wide-eyed.

🪨 The Classics of Confusion:

1. Hiffinite
This is easily one of the most commonly found specimens. Usually grey or muted in tone, Hiffinite often turns up in garden borders, driveways, roadside gravel, and – occasionally – at the bottom of a child’s toy box or on a coffee table pretending to be a crystal.
Despite its humble origins, Hiffinite catches the eye of crystal lovers because it sparkles just enough or has an unusual shape. A true treasure… until you realise it’s just driveway chip.

2. Chuckite
Closely related in appearance to Hiffinite, Chuckite belongs to an entirely different (and equally fictional) mineral family. Historically, Hiffinite has a smoother feel, while Chuckite is heavier and – when discarded – tends to make more of a plonk sound. Both are commonly mistaken for crystals… and both are commonly chucked.

3. Shitite
Now this one is a real rollercoaster. The finder may feel instant elation, believing they’ve stumbled upon something rare and powerful. The sparkle! The vibe! The energy! But upon identification, it’s revealed to be of equal value to Hiffinite or Chuckite. Cue disappointment. Still, it had a vibe. Briefly.

🔍 Honourable Mentions:

4. Ho-humite
This one's usually picked up by enthusiastic new collectors who are just starting their rockhounding journey. It looks promising at first glance. But as the collector becomes more experienced, Ho-humite tends to be passed on — either to children, rock garden collections, or someone just starting out. A beginner's rite of passage, you might say.

5. Imnotsureite & Idontknowprase
These rare specimens have a profound effect on the person holding them. Without fail, the viewer scratches their head and says, "I don’t know what it is" — and sometimes adds, "I’m not sure." These stones are powerful teachers… in humility.

🌠 The Legendary One-Off:

6. Ifoundamediaerite
I’ve only encountered this one three times in over 40 years of collecting. It usually shows up when there’s been a meteor shower — or after a new apocalyptic movie featuring a planet-destroying asteroid. The stone is often accompanied by grand stories and a hint of cosmic mystery.

When this happens, proper gem testing is needed. That means sending it off to a university or geological lab and paying a small fee for an analysis. Most often, this leads to the unfortunate transformation of Ifoundamediaerite into its final form: Sudden-disappointmentite.
However, very rarely... it becomes Jackpoterite — and in that moment, the stone vibrates differently.

🤪 Just for Fun – Other Notable Minerals You Might Own:

·         🪨 Cantfindite – So rare, even Google hasn’t heard of it.

·         💸 Spendallite – The reason you’re broke after a gem show.

·         🧼 Soapalite – Looks like a rock, feels like soap.

·         🫥 Disapparate – You had it yesterday… now it’s gone.

·         🐒 Bonkzite – That one crystal you dropped on your toe.

·         🧊 Coldshoulderite – The one crystal that never vibes with you.

·         🧃 Juicite – Looks like it should be drinkable. It’s not.

·         💤 Napnite – Makes you sleepy just looking at it.

·         🧲 Sticktoeverythingite – Covered in sand, cat hair, and glitter.

·         🌪️ Dramalite – Guaranteed to spark debate in every crystal group.

·         🛍️ Regretite – Bought in a hurry. Still wondering why.

·         📦 Lostinthepostite – Currently travelling the world via courier.

·         👑 Majesticus Maximus – The most extra piece in your collection.

·         🙃 Backwardsite – No matter how you hold it, it always looks upside-down.

Collecting crystals and minerals is a journey full of wonder, excitement, and sometimes a little confusion — but that’s part of the magic. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just getting started, I hope this brought a smile to your face. And who knows — maybe one day you’ll discover the next great mineral… like Legendaryebaybiddonite.