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, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to pearly, silky in aggregates.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: inclusions, lamellar.
Often confused with
Lunijianlaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous to pearly, silky in aggregates on Lunijianlaite and dull, earthy on Montmorillonite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous to pearly, silky in aggregates on Lunijianlaite and earthy on Illite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous to pearly, silky in aggregates on Lunijianlaite and pearly to dull earthy on Kaolinite.
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
- Density
- 2.75 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly, silky in aggregates
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Inclusions, lamellar
- Cleavage
- {001}, perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- Within corundum, in a hydrothermal pyrophyllite deposit in rhyolite
Where rockhounds find lunijianlaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Qingtian, Chekiang Province, China
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Within corundum, in a hydrothermal pyrophyllite deposit in rhyolite. If you start seeing corundum, diaspore, chlorite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: inclusions, lamellar. 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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