Shosanbetsuite is a rare silver tin mineral that forms silver white irregular grains. It occurs in fluvial placer deposits. Associated minerals include gold, rumoiite and yuanjiangite. It was first described from the Shosanbetsu river, Rumoi province, Hokkaido, Japan.
Is this shosanbetsuite?
4-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 shosanbetsuite with a known reference. Shosanbetsuite sits at Mohs 2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 3Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: silver white, white.
- 4Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: irregular grains.
Often confused with
Shosanbetsuite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Stilbite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2.5); luster reads metallic on Shosanbetsuite and vitreous on Stilbite.
How to tell apart: Heulandite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2.5); luster reads metallic on Shosanbetsuite and vitreous, pearly on {010} on Heulandite.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ag₃Sn
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 11.1 g/cm³
- Colors
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Irregular grains
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- volcanic rocks
Where rockhounds find shosanbetsuite
Classic worldwide localities
- Shosanbetsu, Hokkaido, Japan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: volcanic rocks. If you start seeing distribution from minamichiyoda, shosanbetsu village, rumoi subprefecture in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: irregular grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find shosanbetsuite on the map
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