Jusite is a rare calcium silicate mineral typically found in skarn deposits. It generally occurs as fibrous or acicular aggregates that appear white to colorless in hand samples.

Hardness

3-4

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareTobermorite Group family

Jusite

Jusite is a rare calcium silicate mineral typically found in skarn deposits. It generally occurs as fibrous or acicular aggregates that appear white to colorless in hand samples.

Hardness: 3-4
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

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Is this jusite?

5-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 jusite with a known reference. Jusite sits at Mohs 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Jusite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Jusite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: fibrous aggregates.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Tobermorite

Mohs 2.5

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Jusite and pearly on Tobermorite.

How to tell apart: Xonotlite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-6.5 vs. 3-4); luster reads vitreous on Jusite and pearly on Xonotlite.

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Often found alongside jusite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₂Si₂O₅(OH)₂·H₂O
Mohs hardness: 3-4
Density: 2.5 g/cm³
Colors: White Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Fibrous Aggregates
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Skarn
Typical price: $20-100 per specimen

Where rockhounds find jusite

Classic worldwide localities

Japan
Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in skarn country — that is the host setting where jusite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, quartz, apophyllite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a fibrous aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify jusite?+

Mohs hardness is 3-4. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include white, colorless.

Where is jusite found?+

Notable localities include Japan; Russia.

How much is jusite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $20-100 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like jusite?+

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

What minerals are found with jusite?+

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

What kind of rock does jusite form in?+

Jusite typically forms in skarn. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is jusite used for?+

Jusite is used in collector.

Find jusite on the map

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