Lisitsynite is an extremely rare potassium borosilicate mineral typically found in epithermal veins within rhyolitic volcanics. It usually presents as small, colorless, prismatic crystals that may superficially resemble quartz or danburite to the untrained eye. It is highly sought after by advanced systematic mineral collectors due to its extremely limited type locality in the Russian Far East.
Is this lisitsynite?
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 lisitsynite with a known reference. Lisitsynite 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. Lisitsynite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Lisitsynite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Lisitsynite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside lisitsynite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lisitsynite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- KBSi₂O₆
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5
- Density
- 2.42 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Epithermal Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find lisitsynite
Classic worldwide localities
- Petrya-Yary deposit, Chukotka, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in epithermal hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where lisitsynite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, adularia, kaolinite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find lisitsynite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
