Linzhiite is a very rare iron silicide mineral discovered in ophiolitic mantle rocks. It typically occurs as minute inclusions within other metallic grains and is mainly of interest for its extreme rarity and unusual geologic origin.
Is this linzhiite?
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 linzhiite with a known reference. Linzhiite sits at Mohs 6.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: grayish black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: steel-gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: irregular grains.
Often confused with
Linzhiite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside linzhiite
Minerals reported to co-occur with linzhiite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- FeSi₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5
- Density
- 4.972 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Grayish black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Irregular grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In the heavy mineral fraction of a podiform chromitite deposit in the peridotite of an ophiolitic harzburgite
Where rockhounds find linzhiite
Classic worldwide localities
- Linzhi, Tibet
- Luobusa ophiolite, Tibet
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In the heavy mineral fraction of a podiform chromitite deposit in the peridotite of an ophiolitic harzburgite. If you start seeing zangboite, native silicon in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: irregular grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify linzhiite?+
Where is linzhiite found?+
What rocks look like linzhiite?+
What minerals are found with linzhiite?+
What kind of rock does linzhiite form in?+
What is linzhiite used for?+
Find linzhiite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
