Ilvaite from Huanggang Mine, Inner Mongolia, China - image 1
Ilvaite from Huanggang Mine, Inner Mongolia, China - image 2

Ilvaite from Huanggang Mine, Inner Mongolia, China

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A cluster of blocky terminated crystals of ilvaite. In terrific condition all around and quite choice for the species. Small crystals of quartz are scattered across the tops of the terminations.The Huanggang Mines, located in the Hexigten Banner of Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, China, comprise a massive iron-tin skarn deposit situated along the southern margin of the Great Hinggan Range. Geologically, the deposit formed during the Late Yanshanian period when Mesozoic granite intrusions interacted with Permian limestone and marble, creating a series of seven distinct mining zones. This contact metamorphism produced a spectacular array of silicate and sulfide minerals, most notably the world's finest specimens of ilvaite. The ilvaite from this locality is characterized by large, lustrous, jet-black prismatic crystals that often exhibit exceptional termination and size, far surpassing previous historical finds. Historically, exploration in the region intensified in the late 20th century, with large-scale commercial production of iron and tin commencing around 2008. While primarily an industrial source for magnetite and cassiterite, the mine remains a premier global locality for mineral collectors due to the consistent discovery of high-quality ilvaite, genthelvite, and boron-bearing silicates.

Product details

SpeciesIlvaite
SizeMiniature
Dimensions3.5 x 3.0 x 2.5 cm
Added on05/01/2026
Current owner
Unknown Owner
Acquired
May 2026
Price paid
$75.00
Previous owners
DateCollectorAcquisition price
—Weinrich MineralsNot disclosed

Learn more

Ilvaite
Mineral guide
Learn about Ilvaite
black sorosilicate with sharp, glossy prisms and metallic sheen; forms in iron-rich skarns with quartz and calcite; Elba, Dalnegorsk.
Ilvaite
Regional guide
Ilvaite from Huanggang Mine, Inner Mongolia, China
jet-black prismatic crystals from Huanggang Mine, Inner Mongolia, a modern, major skarn source; dramatic contrast with quartz and up to 20 cm.
Locality guide
Huanggang Mine
A collector's guide to Huanggang Mine, China: its geology, mining history and notable minerals, illustrated with the 761 specimens documented from this locality on EarthWonders.