Dalnegorskite is a triclinic polymorph of wollastonite found primarily in the skarn deposits of Dalnegorsk, Russia. It typically occurs as white or colorless granular masses and is structurally very similar to standard wollastonite, requiring X-ray diffraction for definitive laboratory identification.
Is this dalnegorskite?
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 dalnegorskite with a known reference. Dalnegorskite sits at Mohs 6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: massive, granular, or platy aggregates.
Often confused with
Dalnegorskite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside dalnegorskite
Minerals reported to co-occur with dalnegorskite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₅Mn(Si₃O₉)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 2.8-2.9 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, granular, or platy aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- skarn deposits
Where rockhounds find dalnegorskite
Classic worldwide localities
- Dalnegorsk, Primorsky Krai, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: skarn deposits. If you start seeing calcite, quartz, datolite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: massive, granular, or platy aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify dalnegorskite?+
Where is dalnegorskite found?+
What rocks look like dalnegorskite?+
What minerals are found with dalnegorskite?+
What kind of rock does dalnegorskite form in?+
What is dalnegorskite used for?+
Find dalnegorskite on the map
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