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. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: inclusions.
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
- 4.54 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Inclusions
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001} (synthetic)
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- As inclusions in fluorite in a polymetallic Nb–REE–Fe deposit
Where rockhounds find zhangpeishanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bayan Obo deposit, Inner Mongolia, China
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: As inclusions in fluorite in a polymetallic Nb–REE–Fe deposit. If you start seeing barite, hematite, norsethite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: inclusions. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify zhangpeishanite?+
Where is zhangpeishanite found?+
Is zhangpeishanite safe to handle?+
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.
