Vitimite is a rare calcium sulfate, typically white. It is a low-temperature hydrothermal mineral in veinlets in a skarn-type boron deposit. It was first described from the Solongo boron deposit, Buryatia, Russia.

Hardness

1.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareTourmaline Group family

Vitimite

Hardness: 1.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this vitimite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch vitimite with a known reference. Vitimite sits at Mohs 1.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: aggregates, compact, fibrous.

Often confused with

Vitimite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Dravite

Mohs 7

How to tell apart: Dravite is the harder of the two (Mohs 7 vs. 1.5); streak differs, so Vitimite leaves white, Dravite leaves light brown, white.

How to tell apart: Elbaite is the harder of the two (Mohs 7 vs. 1.5).

Compare →

Often found alongside vitimite

Minerals reported to co-occur with vitimite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₆B₁₄O₁₉(SO₄)(OH)₁₄·5H₂O
Mohs hardness: 1.5
Density: 2.29 g/cm³
Colors: White
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Aggregates, compact, fibrous
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: A low-temperature hydrothermal mineral in veinlets in a skarn-type boron deposit

Where rockhounds find vitimite

Classic worldwide localities

Solongo boron deposit, Buryatia, Transbaikal region, and in the Novofrolovskoe copper deposit, Polar Urals, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: A low-temperature hydrothermal mineral in veinlets in a skarn-type boron deposit. If you start seeing calcite, priceite, federovskite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, compact, fibrous. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify vitimite?+

Mohs hardness is 1.5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include white.

Where is vitimite found?+

Notable localities include Solongo boron deposit, Buryatia, Transbaikal region, and in the Novofrolovskoe copper deposit, Polar Urals, Russia.

What rocks look like vitimite?+

Vitimite is most often confused with Dravite, Elbaite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with vitimite?+

Vitimite commonly co-occurs with Calcite, Priceite, Federovskite, Kurchatovite, Ludwigite, Magnetite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does vitimite form in?+

Where it forms: A low-temperature hydrothermal mineral in veinlets in a skarn-type boron deposit. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is vitimite used for?+

Vitimite is used in collector.

Find vitimite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.