Parasibirskite is a rare calcium borate mineral known primarily from the skarn deposits of the Tayozhnoye region in Siberia. It is typically found as small, white, translucent prismatic crystals associated with other boron-bearing minerals and magnetite in metamorphic environments.
Is this parasibirskite?
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 parasibirskite with a known reference. Parasibirskite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: “Weak”, pearly.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: microscopic crystals, tabular.
Often confused with
Parasibirskite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside parasibirskite
Minerals reported to co-occur with parasibirskite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂B₂O₅(H₂O)
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.50 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- “Weak”, pearly
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic crystals, tabular
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A late-stage hydrothermal alteration of takedaite in a borate-rich vein cutting limestone and gehlenite-spurrite skarn
Where rockhounds find parasibirskite
Classic worldwide localities
- Fuka, near Bicchu, Okayama Prefecture, Japan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A late-stage hydrothermal alteration of takedaite in a borate-rich vein cutting limestone and gehlenite-spurrite skarn. If you start seeing takedaite, frolovite, olshanskyite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic crystals, tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify parasibirskite?+
Where is parasibirskite found?+
What rocks look like parasibirskite?+
What minerals are found with parasibirskite?+
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What is parasibirskite used for?+
Find parasibirskite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
