Burtite is a very rare calcium tin hydroxide mineral typically found in skarn deposits. It usually forms as small, colorless to white tabular crystals and is primarily a specimen for advanced mineral collectors.

Hardness

3.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Burtite

Hardness: 3.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this burtite?

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 burtite with a known reference. Burtite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Burtite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Burtite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Malayaite

Mohs 5-6

How to tell apart: Malayaite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-6 vs. 3.5).

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Burtite leaves white, Stannite leaves black; luster reads vitreous on Burtite and metallic on Stannite.

Compare →

Often found alongside burtite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: CaSn(OH)₆
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Density: 4.55 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals
Cleavage: Perfect On {0001}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Skarn Deposits
Typical price: expensive due to rarity

Where rockhounds find burtite

Classic worldwide localities

Kester deposit, Sakha Republic, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in skarn deposits country — that is the host setting where burtite typically forms. If you start seeing cassiterite, malayaite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify burtite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white.

Where is burtite found?+

Notable localities include Kester deposit, Sakha Republic, Russia.

How much is burtite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of expensive due to rarity. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like burtite?+

Burtite is most often confused with Malayaite, Stannite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with burtite?+

Burtite commonly co-occurs with Cassiterite, Malayaite, Calcite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does burtite form in?+

Burtite typically forms in skarn deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is burtite used for?+

Burtite is used in collector.

Find burtite on the map

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