Alexkhomyakovite is a rare carbonate mineral discovered in the alkaline massifs of the Kola Peninsula. It typically forms small, colorless to white rhombohedral crystals within pegmatite veins associated with other rare alkaline minerals.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous to greasy

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent to translucent

mineralrare

Alexkhomyakovite

Hardness: ~3
Luster: Vitreous to greasy
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent to translucent

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Is this alexkhomyakovite?

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 alexkhomyakovite with a known reference. Alexkhomyakovite sits at Mohs ~3, 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 to greasy.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white, gray.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: rhombohedral crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Khomyakovite

Mohs 5-6

How to tell apart: Khomyakovite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-6 vs. ~3).

Compare →

Often found alongside alexkhomyakovite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: K₆(Ca₂Na)(CO₃)₅Cl·6H₂O
Mohs hardness: ~3
Density: 2.25 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White Gray
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous to greasy
Transparency: Transparent to translucent
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Rhombohedral crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In peralkaline pegmatite in an alkaline igneous complex

Where rockhounds find alexkhomyakovite

Classic worldwide localities

Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In peralkaline pegmatite in an alkaline igneous complex. If you start seeing villiaumite, natrite, potassic feldspar in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: rhombohedral crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify alexkhomyakovite?+

Mohs hardness is ~3. Luster: vitreous to greasy. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white, gray.

Where is alexkhomyakovite found?+

Notable localities include Kola Peninsula, Russia.

What rocks look like alexkhomyakovite?+

Alexkhomyakovite is most often confused with Khomyakovite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with alexkhomyakovite?+

Alexkhomyakovite commonly co-occurs with Villiaumite, Natrite, Potassic feldspar, Pectolite, Sodalite, Biotite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does alexkhomyakovite form in?+

Where it forms: In peralkaline pegmatite in an alkaline igneous complex. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is alexkhomyakovite used for?+

Alexkhomyakovite is used in collector.

Find alexkhomyakovite on the map

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