Sulfhydrylbystrite is a rare member of the sodalite group often found in association with skarn-type metamorphic deposits. It is best distinguished by its vibrant yellow color and strong fluorescence, which makes it a highly sought-after specimen for advanced mineral collectors.
Is this sulfhydrylbystrite?
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 sulfhydrylbystrite with a known reference. Sulfhydrylbystrite sits at Mohs 4.5-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellow-brown, orange-yellow, or orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Sulfhydrylbystrite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Sulfhydrylbystrite leaves yellow, Sodalite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Sulfhydrylbystrite leaves yellow, Lazurite leaves bright blue.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Sulfhydrylbystrite leaves yellow, Haüyne leaves slightly bluish to colorless.
Often found alongside sulfhydrylbystrite
Minerals reported to co-occur with sulfhydrylbystrite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₅K₂Ca[Al₆Si₆O₂₄](S₅)(SH)
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5-5
- Density
- 2.391 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic crystals
- Cleavage
- Good on {101̄0}; poor parting on {0001}
- Fluorescence
- Bright yellow under SW UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- As metasomatic lenses in dolomitic marble replacing lazurite
Where rockhounds find sulfhydrylbystrite
Classic worldwide localities
- Found at the Malaya Bystraya lazurite deposit, ~6 km above the confluence of Malaya Bystraya river and Lazurnyi creek, ~25 km from Sludyanka, near Lake Baikal, Eastern Siberian Region, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: As metasomatic lenses in dolomitic marble replacing lazurite. If you start seeing lazurite, diopside, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify sulfhydrylbystrite?+
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What rocks look like sulfhydrylbystrite?+
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Find sulfhydrylbystrite on the map
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