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, 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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