Luobusaite is a rare iron silicide mineral first discovered in the Luobusa ophiolite of Tibet. It is typically found as microscopic grains or small aggregates embedded within chromite and peridotite, requiring advanced analytical techniques for positive identification in most cases.
Is this luobusaite?
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 luobusaite with a known reference. Luobusaite sits at Mohs 7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: steel gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: irregular grains.
Often confused with
Luobusaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside luobusaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with luobusaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe₀.₈₄Si₂
- Mohs hardness
- 7
- Density
- 4.55 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Irregular grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In the heavy mineral fraction of a podiform chromitite deposit in the peridotite of an ophiolite
Where rockhounds find luobusaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Luobusha (“Luobusa”) mine, 200 km southeast of Lhasa, Qusong county, Shannan Prefecture, Tibet, China
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In the heavy mineral fraction of a podiform chromitite deposit in the peridotite of an ophiolite. If you start seeing diamond, moissanite, coesite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: irregular grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify luobusaite?+
Where is luobusaite found?+
What rocks look like luobusaite?+
What minerals are found with luobusaite?+
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Find luobusaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
