Balipholite is a rare lithium-bearing silicate mineral found as thin, tabular crystals. It is primarily known from its type locality in India and is highly sought after by systematic mineral collectors due to its restricted occurrence.

Hardness

5-5.5

Mohs

Luster

Silky

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent to translucent

mineralrare

Balipholite

Hardness: 5-5.5
Luster: Silky
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent to translucent

Is this balipholite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch balipholite with a known reference. Balipholite sits at Mohs 5-5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: silky.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, light yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, thin plates.

Often confused with

Balipholite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Cookeite

Mohs 2.5-3.5

How to tell apart: Balipholite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5-5.5 vs. 2.5-3.5); luster reads silky on Balipholite and pearly or silky on Cookeite.

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Often found alongside balipholite

Minerals reported to co-occur with balipholite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: LiBaMg₂Al₃(Si₂O₆)₂(OH)₈
Mohs hardness: 5-5.5
Density: 3.32-3.35 g/cm³
Colors: White Light yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Silky
Transparency: Transparent to translucent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals, thin plates
Cleavage: Perfect on {010}, distinct on {100} and {110}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In a miarolitic cavity

Where rockhounds find balipholite

Classic worldwide localities

Hsianghualing area, Linwu, Hunan Province, China

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In a miarolitic cavity. If you start seeing zinnwaldite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, thin plates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify balipholite?+

Mohs hardness is 5-5.5. Luster: silky. The streak is white. Common colors include white, light yellow.

Where is balipholite found?+

Notable localities include Hsianghualing area, Linwu, Hunan Province, China.

What rocks look like balipholite?+

Balipholite is most often confused with Cookeite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with balipholite?+

Balipholite commonly co-occurs with Zinnwaldite, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does balipholite form in?+

Where it forms: In a miarolitic cavity. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is balipholite used for?+

Balipholite is used in collector.

Find balipholite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.