Lisitsynite is an extremely rare potassium borosilicate mineral typically found in epithermal veins within rhyolitic volcanics. It usually presents as small, colorless, prismatic crystals that may superficially resemble quartz or danburite to the untrained eye. It is highly sought after by advanced systematic mineral collectors due to its extremely limited type locality in the Russian Far East.
Is this lisitsynite?
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 lisitsynite with a known reference. Lisitsynite sits at Mohs 6, 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: orthorhombic. Typical habit: aggregates, granular.
Often confused with
Lisitsynite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside lisitsynite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lisitsynite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- KBSi₂O₆
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 2.74 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Aggregates, granular
- Cleavage
- Good on {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In the central zone of a hyperagpaitic pegmatite
Where rockhounds find lisitsynite
Classic worldwide localities
- Khibiny-Lovozero complex, Kola Peninsula, Russia (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In the central zone of a hyperagpaitic pegmatite. If you start seeing microcline, pectolite, chkalovite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify lisitsynite?+
Where is lisitsynite found?+
What rocks look like lisitsynite?+
What minerals are found with lisitsynite?+
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What is lisitsynite used for?+
Find lisitsynite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
