Jinshajiangite is a rare titanium-rich silicate mineral found primarily in alkaline igneous environments. It typically forms thin, brown, micaceous plates or radial sprays that can be easily mistaken for other members of the astrophyllite or bafertisite groups.
Is this jinshajiangite?
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 jinshajiangite with a known reference. Jinshajiangite sits at Mohs 4.5-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: light yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown red, yellow red, black, black red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular, thin.
Often confused with
Jinshajiangite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Jinshajiangite leaves light yellow, Bafertisite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Jinshajiangite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4.5-5 vs. 3); streak differs, so Jinshajiangite leaves light yellow, Astrophyllite leaves golden; luster reads vitreous on Jinshajiangite and submetallic, pearly, greasy on Astrophyllite.
Often found alongside jinshajiangite
Minerals reported to co-occur with jinshajiangite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BaNaFe₂Ti₂(Si₂O₇)₂O₂(OH,F)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5-5
- Density
- 3.61 g/cm³
- Streak
- Light yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular, thin
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {010} and {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In an arfvedsonite dike in alkalic syenites
Where rockhounds find jinshajiangite
Classic worldwide localities
- Found near the Jinshajiang River, western Sichuan Province, China
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In an arfvedsonite dike in alkalic syenites. If you start seeing albite, arfvedsonite, aegirine in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular, thin. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify jinshajiangite?+
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What rocks look like jinshajiangite?+
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Find jinshajiangite on the map
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