Shuiskite-(Mg) is a rare sorosilicate mineral belonging to the pumpellyite group, discovered in the Shuiskoe locality of Russia. It typically presents as small, dark green prismatic or needle-like crystal aggregates found in metamorphic environments. Due to its scarcity and similarity to other pumpellyite group members, it is primarily sought after by advanced mineral collectors.
Is this shuiskite-(mg)?
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 shuiskite-(mg) with a known reference. Shuiskite-(Mg) sits at Mohs 6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: light greenish brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green, olive green, blackish green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, radial aggregates, acicular.
Often confused with
Shuiskite-(Mg) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside shuiskite-(mg)
Minerals reported to co-occur with shuiskite-(mg). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂MgCr₂(SiO₄)(Si₂O₇)(OH)₂·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 3.37 g/cm³
- Streak
- Light greenish brown
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic crystals, radial aggregates, acicular
- Cleavage
- Good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- metamorphic rocks, specifically hydrothermally altered basaltic rocks
Where rockhounds find shuiskite-(mg)
Classic worldwide localities
- Shuiskoe, Karelia, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: metamorphic rocks, specifically hydrothermally altered basaltic rocks. If you start seeing chlorite, quartz, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, radial aggregates, acicular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify shuiskite-(mg)?+
Where is shuiskite-(mg) found?+
What rocks look like shuiskite-(mg)?+
What minerals are found with shuiskite-(mg)?+
What kind of rock does shuiskite-(mg) form in?+
What is shuiskite-(mg) used for?+
Find shuiskite-(mg) on the map
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