Olshanskyite is a rare calcium borate mineral typically found in high-temperature skarn environments. Collectors usually look for its characteristic white, radiating, or tabular crystal clusters found in association with other borate minerals.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Olshanskyite

Hardness: 3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this olshanskyite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch olshanskyite with a known reference. Olshanskyite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Olshanskyite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Olshanskyite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, radial aggregates, crusts.

Often confused with

Olshanskyite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Datolite

Mohs 5-5.5

How to tell apart: Datolite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-5.5 vs. 3).

Compare →

Often found alongside olshanskyite

Minerals reported to co-occur with olshanskyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₄(B₈O₁₄)(OH)₄·3H₂O
Mohs hardness: 3
Density: 2.44 g/cm³
Colors: White Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals, Radial Aggregates, Crusts
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Skarn Deposits
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find olshanskyite

Classic worldwide localities

Sakha Republic, Russia
Chukotka, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in skarn deposits country, the host setting where olshanskyite typically forms. If you start seeing datolite, grossular, vesuvianite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, radial aggregates, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify olshanskyite?+

Mohs hardness is 3. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include white, colorless.

Where is olshanskyite found?+

Notable localities include Sakha Republic, Russia; Chukotka, Russia.

How much is olshanskyite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like olshanskyite?+

Olshanskyite is most often confused with Datolite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with olshanskyite?+

Olshanskyite commonly co-occurs with Datolite, Grossular, Vesuvianite, Calcite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does olshanskyite form in?+

Olshanskyite typically forms in skarn deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is olshanskyite used for?+

Olshanskyite is used in collector.

Find olshanskyite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.