Hingganite-(Yb) is a very rare beryllium silicate mineral belonging to the gadolinite group, distinguished by its high ytterbium content. Collectors typically look for small, sharp, prismatic crystals occurring within alkaline pegmatites or hydrothermal veins associated with rare-earth element deposits.
Is this hingganite-(yb)?
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 hingganite-(yb) with a known reference. Hingganite-(Yb) sits at Mohs 6-7, 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.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular, aggregates, spherical.
Often confused with
Hingganite-(Yb) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Hingganite-(Yb) leaves white, Gadolinite-(Y) leaves greenish gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Hingganite-(Yb) leaves white, Danalite leaves gray white.
Often found alongside hingganite-(yb)
Minerals reported to co-occur with hingganite-(yb). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BeYb(SiO₄)(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 6-7
- Density
- 4.83 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular, aggregates, spherical
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific study
- Host rock
- Formed by very late-stage replacement reactions in amazonite-rich pegmatites
Where rockhounds find hingganite-(yb)
Classic worldwide localities
- Mt. Ploskaya, Keivy massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Formed by very late-stage replacement reactions in amazonite-rich pegmatites. If you start seeing fluorite, keiviite-, bastnäsite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular, aggregates, spherical. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify hingganite-(yb)?+
Where is hingganite-(yb) found?+
Is hingganite-(yb) safe to handle?+
What rocks look like hingganite-(yb)?+
What minerals are found with hingganite-(yb)?+
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Find hingganite-(yb) on the map
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