Nanlingite is an exceptionally rare calcium magnesium arsenite fluoride mineral discovered in the skarn deposits of China. It typically forms as small, tabular, yellowish-green to brown crystals and is primarily sought after by advanced mineral collectors specializing in rare species.
Is this nanlingite?
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 nanlingite with a known reference. Nanlingite 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. Streak: pale yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown red, dark brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular.
Often confused with
Nanlingite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Mimetite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. ~2.3); streak differs, so Nanlingite leaves pale yellow, Mimetite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Nanlingite and resinous to subadamantine on Mimetite.
How to tell apart: Clinohumite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6 vs. ~2.3); streak differs, so Nanlingite leaves pale yellow, Clinohumite leaves white.
Often found alongside nanlingite
Minerals reported to co-occur with nanlingite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaCa₅LiMg₁₂(AsO₃)₂[Fe(AsO₃)₆]F₁₄
- Mohs hardness
- ~2.3
- Density
- 3.927 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular
- Cleavage
- One, imperfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Along a contact between greisenized granite and dolomitic limestone
Where rockhounds find nanlingite
Classic worldwide localities
- Nanling area, southern China (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Along a contact between greisenized granite and dolomitic limestone. If you start seeing fluorite, fluoborite, zinnwaldite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify nanlingite?+
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Find nanlingite on the map
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