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.

Compare →

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, 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.