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 — that is 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.