Log InRegister
Search For:
Mineral Name:
Locality Name:
Keyword(s):
 
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreOur ScienceMindat Newsletter [Free Download]Contact Us
Donate to MindatSponsor a PageCorporate SponsorshipSponsored Pages
Learning CenterWhat Is a Mineral?The Most Common Minerals on EarthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesMindat Newsletter [Free Download]The ElementsThe Mineral Quiz
Search FormMinerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryMineral Visual ExplorerAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDMinerals by CountryAlphabetical Mineral IndexAlphabetical Locality SearchMineral Association SearchList of CountriesLocalities Near MePhoto SearchSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMore Search Options
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
MineralsPetrologyFossilsMeteoritesGeologic Time
Mining CompaniesStatisticsMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsDevice SettingsTime Machine
Read DiscussionsIdentification Request
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColourPhoto Colour ExplorerNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Tongbei, Yunxiao Co., Zhangzhou, Fujian, Chinai
Regional Level Types
TongbeiDeposit
Yunxiao Co.County
ZhangzhouPrefecture-level City
FujianProvince
ChinaCountry

This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
PhotosMapsSearch
Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
23° 55' 59'' North , 117° 11' 11'' East
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
Type:
Köppen climate type:
Nearest Settlements:
PlacePopulationDistance
Huanggang225,956 (2012)34.2km
Chenghua152,453 (2012)67.4km
Mindat Locality ID:
216360
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:2:216360:7
GUID (UUID V4):
0


Geologically, it is hosted within Mesozoic granitic intrusions (approximately 80 million years old) that formed along the ancient continental margin of the South China Plate. The mineralization is found in miarolitic cavities—gas pockets within the granite—where crystals were able to grow freely into open spaces, resulting in the exceptional clarity and form for which the locality is known.

The site is globally renowned for the contrast of its specimens, typically featuring vibrant orange spessartine garnets perched on dark, smoky quartz and white orthoclase feldspar.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Mineral List

Mineral list contains entries from the region specified including sub-localities

20 valid minerals.

Rock Types Recorded

Note: data is currently VERY limited. Please bear with us while we work towards adding this information!

Rock list contains entries from the region specified including sub-localities

Select Rock List Type

Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Albite
Formula: Na(AlSi3O8)
ⓘ Beryl
Formula: Be3Al2(Si6O18)
Colour: pale green
Description: xls up to few mm long.
ⓘ Calcite
Formula: CaCO3
ⓘ Clinochlore
Formula: Mg5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)8
ⓘ 'Feldspar Group'
ⓘ Fluorite
Formula: CaF2
Habit: octahedral xls
Colour: colorless, pale green, pale to dark blue
ⓘ Helvine
Formula: Be3Mn2+4(SiO4)3S
Habit: pseudo-octahedral xls
Colour: yellow, with dark surface coatings
Description: xls rest either on feldspar or on smoky quartz. Helvite xls were found at Tongbei at the end of 2001 and the first xls collected had a dark surface coatings. Helvite xls discovered at later times lack the dark surface coatings but it is suspected that such pieces have been treated in Tongbei with HCl.
ⓘ Hematite
Formula: Fe2O3
Habit: tabular xls
ⓘ Manganite
Formula: Mn3+O(OH)
ⓘ Microcline
Formula: K(AlSi3O8)
Description: Rarely Manebach twins have been observed and characteristic of microcline. Feldspar xls in near surface pockets are often seen to be in the process of kaolinization.
ⓘ Milarite
Formula: K(◻H2O)Ca2(Be2Al)[Si12O30]
Description: xls up to 0,5 mm.
ⓘ Molybdenite
Formula: MoS2
ⓘ Muscovite
Formula: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
ⓘ Opal
Formula: SiO2 · nH2O
Colour: Whitish
Fluorescence: Bright green (SW UV)
Description: Thin whitish crusts on orthoclase crystals and spessartine crystals.
ⓘ Opal var. Opal-AN
Formula: SiO2 · nH2O
Colour: Whitish
Fluorescence: Bright green (SW UV)
Description: Thin whitish crusts on orthoclase crystals and spessartine crystals.
ⓘ Orthoclase
Formula: K(AlSi3O8)
ⓘ Pyrite
Formula: FeS2
ⓘ Quartz
Formula: SiO2
ⓘ Quartz var. Smoky Quartz
Formula: SiO2
Description: xls up to 30 cm.
ⓘ Rhodochrosite
Formula: MnCO3
References:
Jeremie Pfister CollectionIdentified by Jérémie Pfister: SEM-EDS
ⓘ Schorl
Formula: NaFe2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
ⓘ Spessartine
Formula: Mn2+3Al2(SiO4)3
Habit: trapezohedric xls
Colour: orange
ⓘ Topaz
Formula: Al2(SiO4)(F,OH)2

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘMolybdenite2.EA.30MoS2
ⓘPyrite2.EB.05aFeS2
Group 3 - Halides
ⓘFluorite3.AB.25CaF2
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘHematite4.CB.05Fe2O3
ⓘQuartz4.DA.05SiO2
ⓘvar. Smoky Quartz4.DA.05SiO2
ⓘOpal
var. Opal-AN
4.DA.10SiO2 · nH2O
ⓘ4.DA.10SiO2 · nH2O
ⓘManganite4.FD.15Mn3+O(OH)
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘCalcite5.AB.05CaCO3
ⓘRhodochrosite5.AB.05MnCO3
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘSpessartine9.AD.25Mn2+3Al2(SiO4)3
ⓘTopaz9.AF.35Al2(SiO4)(F,OH)2
ⓘBeryl9.CJ.05Be3Al2(Si6O18)
ⓘSchorl9.CK.05NaFe2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
ⓘMilarite9.CM.05K(◻H2O)Ca2(Be2Al)[Si12O30]
ⓘMuscovite9.EC.15KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
ⓘClinochlore9.EC.55Mg5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)8
ⓘMicrocline9.FA.30K(AlSi3O8)
ⓘOrthoclase9.FA.30K(AlSi3O8)
ⓘAlbite9.FA.35Na(AlSi3O8)
ⓘHelvine9.FB.10Be3Mn2+4(SiO4)3S
Unclassified
ⓘ'Feldspar Group'-

List of minerals for each chemical element

HHydrogen
Hⓘ ClinochloreMg5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)8
Hⓘ Opal var. Opal-ANSiO2 · nH2O
Hⓘ ManganiteMn3+O(OH)
Hⓘ MilariteK(◻H2O)Ca2(Be2Al)[Si12O30]
Hⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Hⓘ OpalSiO2 · nH2O
Hⓘ SchorlNaFe32+Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
Hⓘ TopazAl2(SiO4)(F,OH)2
BeBeryllium
Beⓘ BerylBe3Al2(Si6O18)
Beⓘ HelvineBe3Mn42+(SiO4)3S
Beⓘ MilariteK(◻H2O)Ca2(Be2Al)[Si12O30]
BBoron
Bⓘ SchorlNaFe32+Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
CCarbon
Cⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Cⓘ RhodochrositeMnCO3
OOxygen
Oⓘ AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
Oⓘ BerylBe3Al2(Si6O18)
Oⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Oⓘ ClinochloreMg5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)8
Oⓘ HelvineBe3Mn42+(SiO4)3S
Oⓘ HematiteFe2O3
Oⓘ Opal var. Opal-ANSiO2 · nH2O
Oⓘ ManganiteMn3+O(OH)
Oⓘ MicroclineK(AlSi3O8)
Oⓘ MilariteK(◻H2O)Ca2(Be2Al)[Si12O30]
Oⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Oⓘ OpalSiO2 · nH2O
Oⓘ OrthoclaseK(AlSi3O8)
Oⓘ QuartzSiO2
Oⓘ RhodochrositeMnCO3
Oⓘ SchorlNaFe32+Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
Oⓘ Quartz var. Smoky QuartzSiO2
Oⓘ SpessartineMn32+Al2(SiO4)3
Oⓘ TopazAl2(SiO4)(F,OH)2
FFluorine
Fⓘ FluoriteCaF2
Fⓘ TopazAl2(SiO4)(F,OH)2
NaSodium
Naⓘ AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
Naⓘ SchorlNaFe32+Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
MgMagnesium
Mgⓘ ClinochloreMg5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)8
AlAluminium
Alⓘ AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
Alⓘ BerylBe3Al2(Si6O18)
Alⓘ ClinochloreMg5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)8
Alⓘ MicroclineK(AlSi3O8)
Alⓘ MilariteK(◻H2O)Ca2(Be2Al)[Si12O30]
Alⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Alⓘ OrthoclaseK(AlSi3O8)
Alⓘ SchorlNaFe32+Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
Alⓘ SpessartineMn32+Al2(SiO4)3
Alⓘ TopazAl2(SiO4)(F,OH)2
SiSilicon
Siⓘ AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
Siⓘ BerylBe3Al2(Si6O18)
Siⓘ ClinochloreMg5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)8
Siⓘ HelvineBe3Mn42+(SiO4)3S
Siⓘ Opal var. Opal-ANSiO2 · nH2O
Siⓘ MicroclineK(AlSi3O8)
Siⓘ MilariteK(◻H2O)Ca2(Be2Al)[Si12O30]
Siⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Siⓘ OpalSiO2 · nH2O
Siⓘ OrthoclaseK(AlSi3O8)
Siⓘ QuartzSiO2
Siⓘ SchorlNaFe32+Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
Siⓘ Quartz var. Smoky QuartzSiO2
Siⓘ SpessartineMn32+Al2(SiO4)3
Siⓘ TopazAl2(SiO4)(F,OH)2
SSulfur
Sⓘ HelvineBe3Mn42+(SiO4)3S
Sⓘ MolybdeniteMoS2
Sⓘ PyriteFeS2
KPotassium
Kⓘ MicroclineK(AlSi3O8)
Kⓘ MilariteK(◻H2O)Ca2(Be2Al)[Si12O30]
Kⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Kⓘ OrthoclaseK(AlSi3O8)
CaCalcium
Caⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Caⓘ FluoriteCaF2
Caⓘ MilariteK(◻H2O)Ca2(Be2Al)[Si12O30]
MnManganese
Mnⓘ HelvineBe3Mn42+(SiO4)3S
Mnⓘ ManganiteMn3+O(OH)
Mnⓘ RhodochrositeMnCO3
Mnⓘ SpessartineMn32+Al2(SiO4)3
FeIron
Feⓘ HematiteFe2O3
Feⓘ PyriteFeS2
Feⓘ SchorlNaFe32+Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
MoMolybdenum
Moⓘ MolybdeniteMoS2

Localities in this Region

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

AsiaContinent
Eurasian Plate
Yangtze PlateTectonic Plate

This page contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database. This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.

References

 
and/or  
Mindat.org® is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Mindat® and mindat.org® are registered trademarks of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2026, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau.
Content on this site may not be used to train, fine-tune, or otherwise develop artificial intelligence or machine learning models without prior written permission - see our Terms & Conditions.
To cite: Ralph, J., Von Bargen, D., Martynov, P., Zhang, J., Que, X., Prabhu, A., Morrison, S. M., Li, W., Chen, W., & Ma, X. (2025). Mindat.org: The open access mineralogy database to accelerate data-intensive geoscience research. American Mineralogist, 110(6), 833–844. doi:10.2138/am-2024-9486.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: October 20, 2026 04:30:43 Page updated: January 25, 2026 14:38:50
Go to top of page