Yuanfuliite is an uncommon borate mineral typically found as elongated prisms or needle-like crystals in magnesite skarns. It was first identified in China and is highly prized by collectors for its distinct orthorhombic form and association with other rare borate species.
Is this yuanfuliite?
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 yuanfuliite with a known reference. Yuanfuliite sits at Mohs 3.5-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Yuanfuliite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Yuanfuliite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brownish-black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, needles, granular aggregates.
Often confused with
Yuanfuliite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside yuanfuliite
Minerals reported to co-occur with yuanfuliite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaMg(BO₃)
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 4.15 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Needles, Granular Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Boron-bearing Magnesite Skarns
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find yuanfuliite
Classic worldwide localities
- Fushun, Liaoning Province, China
Field-hunting tip
Look in boron-bearing magnesite skarns country — that is the host setting where yuanfuliite typically forms. If you start seeing magnesite, serpentine, forsterite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, needles, granular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify yuanfuliite?+
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What rocks look like yuanfuliite?+
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Find yuanfuliite on the map
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