Hezuolinite is a rare strontium zirconium titanium silicate, typically black. It occurs in a series of alkaline volcanic and intrusive igneous rocks, associated with aegirine nepheline syenite. Associated minerals include microcline, nepheline and aegirine. It was first described from Saima alkaline complex, Fengcheng County, Liaoning Province, NE China.
Is this hezuolinite?
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 hezuolinite with a known reference. Hezuolinite sits at Mohs 5.5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: dark brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: resinous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: granular to massive.
Often confused with
Hezuolinite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Hezuolinite leaves dark brown, Orthoclase leaves white; luster reads resinous on Hezuolinite and vitreous, pearly on cleavages on Orthoclase.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Hezuolinite leaves dark brown, Sanidine leaves white; luster reads resinous on Hezuolinite and vitreous, pearly on cleavage on Sanidine.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Hezuolinite leaves dark brown, Microcline leaves white; luster reads resinous on Hezuolinite and vitreous, pearly on cleavage on Microcline.
Often found alongside hezuolinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with hezuolinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Sr,REE)₄Zr(Ti,Fe,Fe)₂Ti₂O₈(Si₂O₇)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5-6
- Density
- 4.28 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Dark brown
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Granular to massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a series of alkaline volcanic and intrusive igneous rocks, associated with aegirine nepheline syenite
Where rockhounds find hezuolinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Saima alkaline complex, Fengcheng County, Liaoning Province, NE China
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a series of alkaline volcanic and intrusive igneous rocks, associated with aegirine nepheline syenite. If you start seeing microcline, nepheline, aegirine in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular to massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find hezuolinite on the map
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