Solongoite is a rare borate mineral found in boron-rich skarn deposits. It typically forms as small, clear to white tabular crystals or radiating sprays that are highly prized by systematic mineral collectors.
Is this solongoite?
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 solongoite with a known reference. Solongoite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Solongoite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Solongoite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, radiating aggregates.
Often confused with
Solongoite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside solongoite
Minerals reported to co-occur with solongoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂B₃O₄(OH)₄Cl
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 2.44 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Radiating Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Skarn Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find solongoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Solongo Deposit, Buryatia, Russia
- Khol-Tagna, Tuva, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in skarn deposits country, the host setting where solongoite typically forms. If you start seeing danburite, frolovite, kurnakovite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, radiating aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find solongoite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
