Zhangpeishanite is an exceptionally rare barium fluoride chloride mineral found primarily in the Bayan Obo rare-earth deposit. It typically occurs as small tabular crystals associated with other rare fluorides and barite. Collectors usually encounter it as microscopic inclusions or tiny crystals within matrix material.
Is this zhangpeishanite?
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 zhangpeishanite with a known reference. Zhangpeishanite 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. Zhangpeishanite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Zhangpeishanite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Zhangpeishanite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside zhangpeishanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with zhangpeishanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BaFCl
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 4.26 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins in Rare-earth Element Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size
Where rockhounds find zhangpeishanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bayan Obo, Inner Mongolia, China
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins in rare-earth element deposits country — that is the host setting where zhangpeishanite typically forms. If you start seeing baryte, fluorite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify zhangpeishanite?+
Where is zhangpeishanite found?+
How much is zhangpeishanite worth?+
What rocks look like zhangpeishanite?+
What minerals are found with zhangpeishanite?+
What kind of rock does zhangpeishanite form in?+
What is zhangpeishanite used for?+
Find zhangpeishanite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
