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, 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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