Nordenskiöldine is a rare calcium tin borate mineral typically occurring as tabular, yellow-to-brown crystals. It is primarily found in skarns and complex pegmatite environments, often associated with other tin-bearing minerals.
Is this nordenskiöldine?
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 nordenskiöldine with a known reference. Nordenskiöldine sits at Mohs 5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Nordenskiöldine leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Nordenskiöldine typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive.
Often confused with
Nordenskiöldine vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside nordenskiöldine
Minerals reported to co-occur with nordenskiöldine. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaSn(BO₃)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 4.2 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Pegmatites, Skarns
- Typical price
- $50-500 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find nordenskiöldine
Classic worldwide localities
- Långban, Sweden
- Tanzania
- Myanmar
- Norway
Field-hunting tip
Look in pegmatites, skarns country — that is the host setting where nordenskiöldine typically forms. If you start seeing cassiterite, scheelite, fluorite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify nordenskiöldine?+
Where is nordenskiöldine found?+
How much is nordenskiöldine worth?+
What rocks look like nordenskiöldine?+
What minerals are found with nordenskiöldine?+
What kind of rock does nordenskiöldine form in?+
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Find nordenskiöldine on the map
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