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, so 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, 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.