Yarlongite is an exceptionally rare chromium-iron-nickel carbide found primarily in the Luobusa ophiolite of Tibet. It typically occurs as microscopic grains within chromite ores and represents a fascinating example of high-pressure minerals formed in the Earth's mantle.
Is this yarlongite?
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 yarlongite with a known reference. Yarlongite 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. Yarlongite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Yarlongite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: grains.
Often confused with
Yarlongite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Yarlongite leaves white, Isoferroplatinum leaves grayish-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Yarlongite leaves white, Chromite leaves dark brown; luster reads metallic on Yarlongite and submetallic on Chromite.
Often found alongside yarlongite
Minerals reported to co-occur with yarlongite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cr₄Fe₄NiC₄
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 12.7 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Podiform Chromitite in Ophiolitic Peridotite
- Typical price
- extremely high, research grade material
Where rockhounds find yarlongite
Classic worldwide localities
- Luobusa Ophiolite, Tibet, China
Field-hunting tip
Look in podiform chromitite in ophiolitic peridotite country — that is the host setting where yarlongite typically forms. If you start seeing chromite, diamond, moissanite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify yarlongite?+
Where is yarlongite found?+
How much is yarlongite worth?+
What rocks look like yarlongite?+
What minerals are found with yarlongite?+
What kind of rock does yarlongite form in?+
What is yarlongite used for?+
Find yarlongite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
