Lipuite is a rare, iron-rich member of the garnet group typically found within skarn deposits. It is most easily identified by its characteristic reddish-brown to black dodecahedral crystal habit and strong association with contact metamorphic environments.

Hardness

6.5-7.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareGarnet Group family

Lipuite

Hardness: 6.5-7.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

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Is this lipuite?

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 lipuite with a known reference. Lipuite sits at Mohs 6.5-7.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Lipuite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Lipuite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: reddish-brown, brown, black.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside lipuite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₃(Fe,Mn,Ti)₂(SiO₄)₃
Mohs hardness: 6.5-7.5
Density: 3.8-4.2 g/cm³
Colors: Reddish-brown Brown Black
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Dodecahedral Crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific Research
Host rock: Skarns
Typical price: $50-500 depending on specimen quality

Where rockhounds find lipuite

Classic worldwide localities

Lipu, China
Guangxi Province

Field-hunting tip

Look in skarns country, the host setting where lipuite typically forms. If you start seeing diopside, calcite, magnetite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a dodecahedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify lipuite?+

Mohs hardness is 6.5-7.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include reddish-brown, brown, black.

Where is lipuite found?+

Notable localities include Lipu, China; Guangxi Province.

How much is lipuite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-500 depending on specimen quality. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like lipuite?+

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

What minerals are found with lipuite?+

Lipuite commonly co-occurs with diopside, calcite, magnetite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does lipuite form in?+

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

What is lipuite used for?+

Lipuite is used in collector, scientific research.

Find lipuite on the map

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