Rusinovite is an extremely rare calcium silicate chloride mineral discovered in the Chegem volcanic caldera in Russia. It typically occurs as small tabular crystals within high-temperature skarn environments associated with carbonate-rich volcanic xenoliths.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Rusinovite

Hardness: 5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

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Is this rusinovite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch rusinovite with a known reference. Rusinovite sits at Mohs 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Rusinovite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Rusinovite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.

Often confused with

Rusinovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Larnite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6 vs. 5).

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Often found alongside rusinovite

Minerals reported to co-occur with rusinovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₇(Si₂O₇)₂Cl₂
Mohs hardness: 5
Density: 3.17 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Brown Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Skarn
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find rusinovite

Classic worldwide localities

Chegem caldera, Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in skarn country, the host setting where rusinovite typically forms. If you start seeing wadalite, fluorapatite, perovskite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify rusinovite?+

Mohs hardness is 5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include yellow, brown, colorless.

Where is rusinovite found?+

Notable localities include Chegem caldera, Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia.

How much is rusinovite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like rusinovite?+

Rusinovite is most often confused with Rankinite, Larnite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with rusinovite?+

Rusinovite commonly co-occurs with Wadalite, Fluorapatite, Perovskite, Ternesite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does rusinovite form in?+

Rusinovite typically forms in skarn. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is rusinovite used for?+

Rusinovite is used in collector.

Find rusinovite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.