Chibaite is a rare variety of quartz characterized by the inclusion of natural gas, specifically methane, within its crystal structure. It is typically found in gas-bearing sedimentary formations where it displays a distinct trapezohedral crystal habit. Collectors prize this mineral for its unique formation history and its specific locality occurrence in Japan.
Is this chibaite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch chibaite with a known reference. Chibaite sits at Mohs 7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Chibaite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Chibaite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: trapezohedral crystals.
Often confused with
Chibaite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside chibaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with chibaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs hardness
- 7
- Density
- 2.65 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Trapezohedral Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Gas-bearing Sedimentary Rock
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on crystal size and quality
Where rockhounds find chibaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Chiba Prefecture, Japan
Field-hunting tip
Look in gas-bearing sedimentary rock country — that is the host setting where chibaite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, pyrite, methane clathrate in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a trapezohedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify chibaite?+
Where is chibaite found?+
How much is chibaite worth?+
What rocks look like chibaite?+
What minerals are found with chibaite?+
What kind of rock does chibaite form in?+
What is chibaite used for?+
Find chibaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
