Galuskinite is a rare calcium silicate carbonate mineral found in high-temperature skarn environments. It is typically identified through its association with other lime-silicate minerals and its distinct X-ray diffraction pattern.
Is this galuskinite?
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 galuskinite with a known reference. Galuskinite sits at Mohs ~5, 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: colorless, white, pale gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Galuskinite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Larnite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6 vs. ~5).
How to tell apart: Galuskinite is noticeably harder (Mohs ~5 vs. 3); luster reads vitreous on Galuskinite and dull on Tilleyite.
Often found alongside galuskinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with galuskinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₇(SiO₄)₃CO₃
- Mohs hardness
- ~5
- Density
- 3.096 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals, massive, granular
- Cleavage
- {001}, {100}, {010}; imperfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A retrograde product of skarn alteration found in sanidinite facies contact-metamorphosed silicate carbonate xenoliths intruded by gabbroid rocks (Birkhin complex)
Where rockhounds find galuskinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Birkhin complex, Baikal area, Olkhon region, Eastern Siberia, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A retrograde product of skarn alteration found in sanidinite facies contact-metamorphosed silicate carbonate xenoliths intruded by gabbroid rocks (Birkhin complex). If you start seeing pavlovskyite, dellaite, larnite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify galuskinite?+
Where is galuskinite found?+
What rocks look like galuskinite?+
What minerals are found with galuskinite?+
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What is galuskinite used for?+
Find galuskinite on the map
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