Tsangpoite is an extremely rare phosphate-silicate mineral first discovered in the Yarlung Tsangpo ophiolite in Tibet. It typically forms as small, clear, tabular crystals within the interstitial spaces of altered ultramafic rocks.
Is this tsangpoite?
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 tsangpoite with a known reference. Tsangpoite sits at Mohs 4.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Tsangpoite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Tsangpoite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular to rhombohedral crystals.
Often confused with
Tsangpoite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside tsangpoite
Minerals reported to co-occur with tsangpoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ba₅(PO₄)₂(PO₄SiO₄)
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 3.55 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular to Rhombohedral Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Ultramafic Rocks Within Ophiolite Complexes
Where rockhounds find tsangpoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Yarlung Tsangpo ophiolite, Tibet, China
Field-hunting tip
Look in ultramafic rocks within ophiolite complexes country, the host setting where tsangpoite typically forms. If you start seeing diopside, forsterite, chromite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular to rhombohedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify tsangpoite?+
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What rocks look like tsangpoite?+
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Find tsangpoite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
