Suolunite is a rare calcium silicate mineral typically found as small, white platy or radiating aggregates within altered ultramafic environments. It is highly sought after by mineral collectors due to its limited type locality in Inner Mongolia. Identification often requires X-ray diffraction or chemical analysis, as it can visually resemble other white silicate minerals.
Is this suolunite?
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 suolunite with a known reference. Suolunite sits at Mohs 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Suolunite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Suolunite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy or micaceous aggregates, radiating clusters.
Often confused with
Suolunite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside suolunite
Minerals reported to co-occur with suolunite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂Si₂O₅(OH)₂·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 2.36 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Platy or Micaceous Aggregates, Radiating Clusters
- Cleavage
- Perfect in One Direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Serpentinized Ultramafic Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find suolunite
Classic worldwide localities
- Suolun, Inner Mongolia, China
Field-hunting tip
Look in serpentinized ultramafic rocks country — that is the host setting where suolunite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, quartz, serpentine in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy or micaceous aggregates, radiating clusters habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find suolunite on the map
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