Zabuyelite is an extremely rare lithium carbonate mineral primarily found in evaporite deposits of saline lakes. It typically appears as white, powdery, or massive crusts and is highly sought after by mineral collectors due to its geological significance as a natural source of lithium.
Is this zabuyelite?
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 zabuyelite with a known reference. Zabuyelite sits at Mohs 2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Zabuyelite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Zabuyelite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: granular, massive, rarely as small crystals.
Often confused with
Zabuyelite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside zabuyelite
Minerals reported to co-occur with zabuyelite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Li₂CO₃
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 2.11 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Granular, Massive, Rarely as Small Crystals
- Cleavage
- Good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Evaporite Deposits in Saline Lakes
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen size and rarity
Where rockhounds find zabuyelite
Classic worldwide localities
- Zabuye Salt Lake (Tibet, China)
- Searles Lake (California, USA)
Field-hunting tip
Look in evaporite deposits in saline lakes country — that is the host setting where zabuyelite typically forms. If you start seeing halite, burkeite, nahcolite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a granular, massive, rarely as small crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify zabuyelite?+
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How much is zabuyelite worth?+
What rocks look like zabuyelite?+
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Find zabuyelite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
