Parasibirskite is a rare calcium borate mineral known primarily from the skarn deposits of the Tayozhnoye region in Siberia. It is typically found as small, white, translucent prismatic crystals associated with other boron-bearing minerals and magnetite in metamorphic environments.
Is this parasibirskite?
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 parasibirskite with a known reference. Parasibirskite sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Parasibirskite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Parasibirskite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic to tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Parasibirskite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside parasibirskite
Minerals reported to co-occur with parasibirskite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂B₅O₉(OH)·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 2.5 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic to Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Skarn
Where rockhounds find parasibirskite
Classic worldwide localities
- Fuka, near Bicchu, Okayama Prefecture, Japan
Field-hunting tip
Look in skarn country, the host setting where parasibirskite typically forms. If you start seeing sibirskite, calcite, magnetite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic to tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify parasibirskite?+
Where is parasibirskite found?+
What rocks look like parasibirskite?+
What minerals are found with parasibirskite?+
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Find parasibirskite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
