Qingsongite is an extremely rare boron nitride mineral that is considered the natural polymorph of cubic boron nitride. It typically occurs as microscopic inclusions within chromite grains from ophiolitic massifs, having formed under ultra-high pressure conditions in the Earth's mantle.
Is this qingsongite?
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 qingsongite with a known reference. Qingsongite sits at Mohs 9.5-10 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Qingsongite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Qingsongite typically shows a vitreous to adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green, black, brownish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: microcrystalline aggregates.
Often confused with
Qingsongite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Qingsongite leaves white, Diamond leaves none; luster reads vitreous to adamantine on Qingsongite and adamantine on Diamond.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Qingsongite leaves white, Moissanite leaves greenish-gray; luster reads vitreous to adamantine on Qingsongite and adamantine on Moissanite.
Often found alongside qingsongite
Minerals reported to co-occur with qingsongite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BN
- Mohs hardness
- 9.5-10
- Density
- 3.5 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Microcrystalline Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Ophiolitic Peridotites
- Typical price
- $500+ per specimen
Where rockhounds find qingsongite
Classic worldwide localities
- Luobusa Ophiolite (Tibet, China)
Field-hunting tip
Look in ophiolitic peridotites country — that is the host setting where qingsongite typically forms. If you start seeing diamond, coesite, chromite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a microcrystalline aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find qingsongite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
