Ramanite-(Rb) is a rare rubidium borate that forms colorless rounded crystals. It occurs in daughter minerals in melt and fluid inclusions. It was first described from the Il Prado vein (also known as Prato alla Valle), Campo, Island of Elba, Italy.
Is this ramanite-(rb)?
3-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 ramanite-(rb) with a known reference. Ramanite-(Rb) sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless.
- 3Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: inclusions.
Often confused with
Ramanite-(Rb) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside ramanite-(rb)
Minerals reported to co-occur with ramanite-(rb). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- RbB₅O₆(OH)₄·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 1.949 g/cm³
- Colors
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Inclusions
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- As daughter minerals in melt and fluid inclusions
Where rockhounds find ramanite-(rb)
Classic worldwide localities
- Il Prado vein (also known as Prato alla Valle), 400 m south of the cemetery of the village of San Pietro, Campo, Island of Elba, Italy (type locality)
- Hambergite from the Mika pegmatite, Rangkul pegmatite field, eastern Pamirs, Tajikistan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: As daughter minerals in melt and fluid inclusions. If you start seeing sassolite, ramanite-, santite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: inclusions. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify ramanite-(rb)?+
Where is ramanite-(rb) found?+
What rocks look like ramanite-(rb)?+
What minerals are found with ramanite-(rb)?+
What kind of rock does ramanite-(rb) form in?+
What is ramanite-(rb) used for?+
Find ramanite-(rb) on the map
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