Lunijianlaite is a rare lithium-bearing clay mineral first described from the Lunijian deposit in China. It typically occurs as fine-grained, earthy to clay-like masses associated with hydrothermal alteration processes.
Is this lunijianlaite?
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 lunijianlaite with a known reference. Lunijianlaite sits at Mohs 2-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Lunijianlaite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Lunijianlaite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, gray, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: fine-grained aggregates.
Often confused with
Lunijianlaite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside lunijianlaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lunijianlaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Li,Al)₄Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂·nH₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 2.5-2.6 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Fine-grained Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Alteration Zones
- Typical price
- $20-100 per specimen
Where rockhounds find lunijianlaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Lunijian, China
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal alteration zones country — that is the host setting where lunijianlaite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, feldspar, mica in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a fine-grained aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find lunijianlaite on the map
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