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 3.5-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Dzhalindite leaves a yellowish-white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Dzhalindite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-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 — Dzhalindite leaves yellowish-white, Sphalerite leaves white to yellow-brown; luster reads vitreous on Dzhalindite and resinous to submetallic on Sphalerite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Dzhalindite leaves yellowish-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
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 5.68 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish-white
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Octahedral Crystals, Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Cassiterite-sulfide Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per small specimen
Where rockhounds find dzhalindite
Classic worldwide localities
- Dzhalinda deposit, Khabarovsk Krai, Russia
- Luquan, Yunnan, China
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal cassiterite-sulfide deposits country — that is the host setting where dzhalindite typically forms. If you start seeing siderite, cassiterite, sphalerite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a octahedral crystals, massive habit, so 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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