Dzhalindite is a very rare indium hydroxide mineral typically found as small, yellow octahedral crystals in oxidized hydrothermal tin deposits. It is named after its type locality at the Dzhalinda deposit in Russia. Collectors prize it primarily for its scarcity and status as one of the few minerals where indium is a major constituent.
Is this dzhalindite?
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 dzhalindite with a known reference. Dzhalindite sits at Mohs 4-4.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: yellow white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: octahedral crystals, massive.
Often confused with
Dzhalindite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Dzhalindite leaves yellow white, Sphalerite leaves pale brown to pale yellow and white; luster reads vitreous on Dzhalindite and resinous to adamantine on Sphalerite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Dzhalindite leaves yellow white, Siderite leaves white.
Often found alongside dzhalindite
Minerals reported to co-occur with dzhalindite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- In(OH)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 4-4.5
- Density
- 4.38 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow white
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Octahedral crystals, massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Probably of secondary origin from its occurrence along fractures through primary hydrothermal minerals associated with brecciated felsic volcanic rocks (Dzhalinda deposit, Russia)
Where rockhounds find dzhalindite
Classic worldwide localities
- Flambeau mine, southwest of Ladysmith, Rusk Co., Wisconsin, USA
- Dzhalinda tin deposit, Little Khingan Ridge, Far Eastern Region, Russia
- Mount Pleasant, New Brunswick, Canada
- Found in the Mangabeira tin deposit, Goiás, Brazil
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Probably of secondary origin from its occurrence along fractures through primary hydrothermal minerals associated with brecciated felsic volcanic rocks (Dzhalinda deposit, Russia). If you start seeing indite, cassiterite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: octahedral crystals, massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find dzhalindite on the map
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