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. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to adamantine.
- 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, so Qingsongite leaves white, Diamond leaves colorless; luster reads vitreous to adamantine on Qingsongite and adamantine to greasy on Diamond.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Qingsongite leaves white, Moissanite leaves greenish gray; luster reads vitreous to adamantine on Qingsongite and metallic to 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
- 3.47 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
Where rockhounds find qingsongite
Classic worldwide localities
- Luobusa Ophiolite (Tibet, China)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: ophiolitic peridotites. If you start seeing diamond, coesite, chromite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microcrystalline aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify qingsongite?+
Where is qingsongite found?+
What rocks look like qingsongite?+
What minerals are found with qingsongite?+
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Find qingsongite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
