Hongheite is a rare boron-bearing silicate mineral belonging to the vesuvianite group. It is typically identified by its dark, prismatic crystals occurring in skarn environments, often requiring chemical analysis to distinguish definitively from other members of the vesuvianite group.

Hardness

6.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareVesuvianite Group family

Hongheite

Hardness: 6.5
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent

No image

Is this hongheite?

4-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch hongheite with a known reference. Hongheite sits at Mohs 6.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
3
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: dark brown, black, reddish-brown.
4
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.

Often confused with

Hongheite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside hongheite

Minerals reported to co-occur with hongheite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₁₉FeAl₄(Fe,Mg,Al)₈(□,B)₄BSi₁₈O₆₉(O,OH)₉
Mohs hardness: 6.5
Colors: Dark brown Black Reddish-brown
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Tetragonal
Crystal habit: Prismatic crystals
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: skarn

Where rockhounds find hongheite

Classic worldwide localities

Bai Shanchong granite, Malage skarn deposit, northeastern border of the Gejiu Tin Polymetallic Ore Field, Yunnan Province, China

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: skarn. If you start seeing calcite, diopside, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify hongheite?+

Mohs hardness is 6.5. Luster: vitreous. Common colors include dark brown, black, reddish-brown.

Where is hongheite found?+

Notable localities include Bai Shanchong granite, Malage skarn deposit, northeastern border of the Gejiu Tin Polymetallic Ore Field, Yunnan Province, China.

What rocks look like hongheite?+

Hongheite is most often confused with Vesuvianite, Epidote. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with hongheite?+

Hongheite commonly co-occurs with Calcite, Diopside, Quartz, Garnet. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does hongheite form in?+

Where it forms: skarn. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is hongheite used for?+

Hongheite is used in collector.

Find hongheite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.