Rossmanite is a rare member of the tourmaline group, chemically distinguished by a lithium-rich composition and vacancies in the X-site of its crystal structure. It typically occurs as small, pale pink or colorless prismatic crystals within highly evolved lithium pegmatites. Collectors prize it as a rare species, though it is visually indistinguishable from other light-colored tourmalines without advanced analytical testing.
Is this rossmanite?
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 rossmanite with a known reference. Rossmanite sits at Mohs ~7, 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.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pink, pale pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: columnar, crystalline, striated.
Often confused with
Rossmanite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside rossmanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with rossmanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- ☐(LiAl₂)Al₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- ~7
- Density
- 3.00 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Columnar, crystalline, striated
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In lepidolite-subtype zoned pegmatite
Where rockhounds find rossmanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hradisko quarry, near Rožná, western Moravia, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In lepidolite-subtype zoned pegmatite. If you start seeing lepidolite, albite, elbaite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: columnar, crystalline, striated. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify rossmanite?+
Where is rossmanite found?+
What rocks look like rossmanite?+
What minerals are found with rossmanite?+
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Find rossmanite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
