Aleksandrovite is an extremely rare phyllosilicate mineral discovered in the Sakha Republic of Russia. It typically occurs as small tabular crystals within contact-metamorphosed limestone xenoliths. Due to its scarcity, it is almost exclusively found in advanced research collections.
Is this aleksandrovite?
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 aleksandrovite with a known reference. Aleksandrovite sits at Mohs 4-5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Aleksandrovite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Aleksandrovite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Aleksandrovite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside aleksandrovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with aleksandrovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- KCa₄(Si₄O₁₀)F
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 2.81 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Rocks
- Typical price
- n/a
Where rockhounds find aleksandrovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Sakha Republic, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic rocks country — that is the host setting where aleksandrovite typically forms. If you start seeing spurrite, cuspidine, larnite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find aleksandrovite on the map
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