Shosanbetsuite is a rare silver tin mineral that forms silver white irregular grains. It occurs in fluvial placer deposits. Associated minerals include gold, rumoiite and yuanjiangite. It was first described from the Shosanbetsu river, Rumoi province, Hokkaido, Japan.
Is this shosanbetsuite?
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 shosanbetsuite with a known reference. Shosanbetsuite 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. Shosanbetsuite leaves a gray streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Shosanbetsuite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: silver white, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: irregular grains.
Often confused with
Shosanbetsuite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Stilbite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2.5); streak differs, so Shosanbetsuite leaves gray, Stilbite leaves white; luster reads metallic on Shosanbetsuite and vitreous on Stilbite.
How to tell apart: Heulandite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2.5); streak differs, so Shosanbetsuite leaves gray, Heulandite leaves white; luster reads metallic on Shosanbetsuite and vitreous to pearly on Heulandite.
Often found alongside shosanbetsuite
Minerals reported to co-occur with shosanbetsuite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ag₃Sn
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 11.1 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Irregular Grains
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Volcanic Rocks
Where rockhounds find shosanbetsuite
Classic worldwide localities
- Shosanbetsu, Hokkaido, Japan
Field-hunting tip
Look in volcanic rocks country, the host setting where shosanbetsuite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, calcite, zeolites in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a irregular grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify shosanbetsuite?+
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What rocks look like shosanbetsuite?+
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Find shosanbetsuite on the map
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