Kitsune Mineral · Hokkaidoite
Hokkaidoite — the organic mineral from Hokkaido, Japan, that glows vivid yellow-green under ultraviolet light. Curated, catalogued and photographed under both lights.
Selected pieces
Every piece is photographed under ultraviolet light and in daylight. Switch the lighting at the top of the page.
Certification
On mindat.org, one of the world's largest mineral databases, many of the hokkaidoite specimens come from Kitsune Mineral. Our key specimens are laboratory-tested and registered with a mindat minID.
Our specimens are among the reference images of hokkaidoite on mindat.org, credited to 狸狸礦坑 kitsune_crystal.
Specimens of special collecting significance come with a certificate from the MDmineralresearch (敏德礦研) laboratory, registered with a mindat minID and verifiable online by its number.
Any specimen purchased from Kitsune Mineral can be sent to the laboratory for testing and certification, at the laboratory's official fee.
Laboratory fee: approx. US$100–150
Worldwide
Our specimens are shown at the major international mineral shows, and we deliver to collectors in every part of the world.
Where our specimens are shown
StockistsHong Kong · K11 Art Mall Midnight Handmade
Individually packed shipping to collectors in any country. Overseas payment by PayPal or bank transfer.
The mineral
Hokkaidoite (北海道石) is one of the special minerals discovered in recent years: a natural crystal of an aromatic hydrocarbon made of carbon and hydrogen, preserved in opal formed by ancient hot springs.
Hokkaidoite is a natural crystal of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon benzo[ghi]perylene (C₂₂H₁₂), found within opal — an organic mineral. Under ultraviolet light, hokkaidoite-bearing opal shows a brilliant play of fluorescent colours. To date, it is known only from Hokkaido, Japan.
Typical hokkaidoite shows a distinct layered structure. The research team believes that ancient organic remains in the strata were altered by volcanic heat or hot water; the organic compounds were then carried by hot water and crystallised in successive layers according to their composition. Each layer contains different organic compounds, giving rise to different fluorescent colours.
Hokkaidoite is extremely scarce and of great scientific value: it is regarded as a key to understanding how the organic compound coronene and petroleum form. In the year of its discovery (2023), the town of Shikaoi designated the locality a municipal cultural property; entry requires permission and unauthorised collecting is prohibited. Today only a small number of specimens circulate among collectors.
Sources: IMA CNMNC Newsletter 71, Eur. J. Mineral. 35 (2023), doi:10.5194/ejm-35-75-2023; Osaka University press release, 14 June 2023; Kyushu University press release, 10 November 2023; Science Japan (JST), 11 July 2023; mindat.org; Tokachi Mainichi Shimbun, 27 September 2023.
Partnerships
We welcome mineral companies, galleries and museums from every country to work with us on hokkaidoite.
Discuss a partnershipRegular supply for mineral dealers and shops, with a catalogue number and photographs for every piece.
Represent Kitsune Mineral hokkaidoite in your country or region.
Specimens for exhibitions, education and scientific study.
About Kitsune Mineral
kitsune_mineral (狸狸礦坑) is a Taiwan-based mineral specimen brand specialising in fluorescent minerals and minerals from localities in Taiwan, Japan and Korea, with hokkaidoite at the heart of our collection.
Our specimens appear at the major international mineral shows. We deliver to collectors worldwide, and work with mineral companies, galleries and museums as partners.
Each specimen has its own catalogue number; key pieces come with a laboratory certificate.
What you see is what you receive — every piece is shown under both lights.
Specimens are individually packed for safe international shipping.
We reply in English, 中文 and more.
FAQ
Hokkaidoite (北海道石) is a new mineral approved by the International Mineralogical Association in January 2023 (IMA2022-104). It is a natural crystal of benzo[ghi]perylene (C₂₂H₁₂), a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon made only of carbon and hydrogen. It was the first new organic mineral described from Japan, and was discovered in Hokkaido.
Benzo[ghi]perylene molecules absorb ultraviolet light and re-emit it as visible light, so hokkaidoite fluoresces a strong yellow to yellow-green under UV light. Hokkaidoite also glows under ordinary handheld UV torches; if you do not have one, we can add a UV torch to your order.
The type locality is the Shikaribetsu area in Shikaoi, Tokachi, Hokkaido, where hokkaidoite occurs as inclusions in opal deposited by ancient hot springs.
In ordinary light the crystals are pale yellow, tiny tabular plates or dendritic aggregates that are often hard to see inside the host opal. Its beauty is revealed under ultraviolet light, which is why every Kitsune Mineral specimen is photographed in both daylight and UV light.
Yes. The cover reference photograph of hokkaidoite on mindat.org, one of the world's largest mineral databases, shows a specimen from the Kitsune Mineral collection, credited to 狸狸礦坑 kitsune_crystal. Our key specimens are registered with a mindat minID.
Yes. Specimens of special collecting significance come with a laboratory certificate from MDmineralresearch (敏德礦研), registered with a mindat minID and verifiable online by its certificate number. For any other specimen bought from Kitsune Mineral, we can arrange laboratory testing and certification at the laboratory's official fee.
kitsune_mineral (狸狸礦坑), a Taiwan-based fluorescent mineral specialist, offers catalogued hokkaidoite specimens to collectors worldwide. Collector pieces are listed with prices and can be bought online; signature pieces are offered by private inquiry. Each specimen has a catalogue number and daylight + UV photographs. Contact us through the inquiry form on this website, by email (contact@hokkaidoite.com) or on Instagram (@kitsune_mineral), or visit our booth at international mineral shows.
Taiwan: On average we take part in person in one or two mineral-related shows every month, in Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung and more. Show dates are posted on Instagram: @kitsune_mineral Hong Kong: Midnight Handmade (Shop 312, 3/F, K11 Art Mall, Tsim Sha Tsui) kitsune_mineral hokkaidoite slices, specimens and collaborative hokkaidoite jewellery are on permanent display and for sale. International: We exhibit in person at the China Nanjing International Mineral, Gemstone & Fossil Expo, and will exhibit at The Munich Show (Mineralientage München) for the first time in October 2026. During the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show our specimens are available through a partner dealer — contact us and we will point you to them.
Yes. Kitsune Mineral delivers worldwide with individual protective packing. Overseas customers can pay by PayPal or bank transfer. Please send an inquiry with the specimen number and your country for a shipping quote.
Yes. Kitsune Mineral welcomes mineral companies, galleries and museums from every country for wholesale supply, regional distribution and exhibition partnerships. Choose “Wholesale / distribution partnership” in the inquiry form or email us directly.
Keep it in a closed display case away from dust, heat and long exposure to direct sunlight, as with most fluorescent mineral specimens. Handle it gently, as the host opal can be brittle. Use UV lamps for viewing rather than leaving them on continuously.
Contact
For specimen availability, private viewings, wholesale and distribution partnerships or show appointments, send us a message. We usually reply within 24–48 hours.
Worldwide delivery · PayPal or bank transfer for overseas orders.