Sinoite is an extremely rare silicon oxynitride mineral primarily discovered within enstatite chondrite meteorites. It typically occurs as small tabular crystals embedded in a matrix of pyroxene and metallic iron-nickel alloys.
Is this sinoite?
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 sinoite with a known reference. Sinoite sits at Mohs 5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Sinoite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Sinoite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Sinoite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside sinoite
Minerals reported to co-occur with sinoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Si₂N₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 2.88 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Research, Collector
- Host rock
- Enstatite Chondrite Meteorites
- Typical price
- n/a (rarely available to private collectors)
Where rockhounds find sinoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Jajh deh Kot Lalu meteorite, Pakistan
- Indarch meteorite, Azerbaijan
- Kainsaz meteorite, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in enstatite chondrite meteorites country — that is the host setting where sinoite typically forms. If you start seeing enstatite, forsterite, kamacite 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
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Find sinoite on the map
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