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. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, light 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
- 2.80-2.85 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Research, Collector
- Host rock
- A rare mineral embedded in enstatite in chondritic meteorites
Where rockhounds find sinoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Jajh deh Kot Lalu, Hvittis, Ufana, Yilmia, and Pillistfer enstatite chondrite meteorites
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare mineral embedded in enstatite in chondritic meteorites. If you start seeing enstatite, nickel-iron, plagioclase in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify sinoite?+
Where is sinoite found?+
What rocks look like sinoite?+
What minerals are found with sinoite?+
What kind of rock does sinoite form in?+
What is sinoite used for?+
Find sinoite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
