Pseudosinhalite is an extremely rare magnesium aluminum borate mineral typically found in metamorphic boron-rich skarn deposits. It often appears as small, colorless to pale yellow prismatic crystals that can be difficult to distinguish from associated borate species without laboratory analysis.
Is this pseudosinhalite?
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 pseudosinhalite with a known reference. Pseudosinhalite sits at Mohs 6.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Pseudosinhalite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Pseudosinhalite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, aggregates.
Often confused with
Pseudosinhalite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Pseudosinhalite is noticeably harder (Mohs 6.5 vs. 5); streak differs — Pseudosinhalite leaves white, Ludwigite leaves black; luster reads vitreous on Pseudosinhalite and submetallic on Ludwigite.
How to tell apart: Pseudosinhalite is noticeably harder (Mohs 6.5 vs. 3-4); streak differs — Pseudosinhalite leaves white, Warwickite leaves black; luster reads vitreous on Pseudosinhalite and submetallic on Warwickite.
Often found alongside pseudosinhalite
Minerals reported to co-occur with pseudosinhalite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mg₂Al₃B₃O₁₀(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5
- Density
- 3.01 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {110}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Boron-rich Skarns
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find pseudosinhalite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tayozhnoye iron deposit, Russia
- Sagan-Zaba, Lake Baikal region, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in boron-rich skarns country — that is the host setting where pseudosinhalite typically forms. If you start seeing ludwigite, forsterite, magnetite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find pseudosinhalite on the map
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