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 — that is 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.
