Changbaiite is an extremely rare lead niobate mineral found in specific alkaline pegmatites. It typically occurs as small, colorless tabular crystals and is prized primarily by mineralogists and advanced systematic collectors.

Hardness

5.3

Mohs

Luster

Adamantine to pearly

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent to translucent

mineralrare

Changbaiite

Hardness: 5.3
Luster: Adamantine to pearly
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent to translucent

Is this changbaiite?

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 changbaiite with a known reference. Changbaiite sits at Mohs 5.3, 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: adamantine to pearly.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, cream white, pale brown, yellow brown, pale yellow green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Columbite

Mohs 6

How to tell apart: Columbite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6 vs. 5.3); streak differs, so Changbaiite leaves white, Columbite leaves blackish brown; luster reads adamantine to pearly on Changbaiite and submetallic on Columbite.

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Often found alongside changbaiite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: PbNb₂O₆
Mohs hardness: 5.3
Density: 6.48 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless Cream white Pale brown Yellow brownPale yellow green
Streak: White
Luster: Adamantine to pearly
Transparency: Transparent to translucent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Tabular
Cleavage: {0001}, perfect; one rhombohedral, distinct
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In kaolinite-filled veins and cavities in a potassic granite

Where rockhounds find changbaiite

Classic worldwide localities

Changbai Mountain, Tonghua, southeastern Kirin Province, China

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In kaolinite-filled veins and cavities in a potassic granite. If you start seeing kaolinite, quartz, potassic feldspar in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify changbaiite?+

Mohs hardness is 5.3. Luster: adamantine to pearly. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, cream white, pale brown, yellow brown.

Where is changbaiite found?+

Notable localities include Changbai Mountain, Tonghua, southeastern Kirin Province, China.

Is changbaiite safe to handle?+

Changbaiite contains lead. Contains lead, which is a toxic heavy metal; handle with care and wash hands after contact.

What rocks look like changbaiite?+

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

What minerals are found with changbaiite?+

Changbaiite commonly co-occurs with Kaolinite, Quartz, Potassic feldspar. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does changbaiite form in?+

Where it forms: In kaolinite-filled veins and cavities in a potassic granite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is changbaiite used for?+

Changbaiite is used in collector.

Find changbaiite on the map

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