Alsakharovite-Zn is a very rare mineral belonging to the complex labuntsovite group of titanosilicates. It typically occurs as small, yellowish-brown prismatic crystals within alkaline pegmatites, primarily documented in the Kola Peninsula of Russia.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareLabuntsovite Group family

Alsakharovite-Zn

Hardness: 5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this alsakharovite-zn?

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 alsakharovite-zn with a known reference. Alsakharovite-Zn sits at Mohs 5, 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.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, pale brown, colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic, tabular.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Labuntsovite

Mohs 6

How to tell apart: Labuntsovite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6 vs. 5); luster reads vitreous on Alsakharovite-Zn and greasy on Labuntsovite.

Often found alongside alsakharovite-zn

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

All properties

Chemical formula: NaSrKZn(Ti,Nb)₄(Si₄O₁₂)₂O₄·7H₂O
Mohs hardness: 5
Density: 2.90 g/cm³
Colors: White Pale brown Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Prismatic, tabular
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In cavities in eudialyte-aegirine-feldspar pegmatite in an alkaline massif

Where rockhounds find alsakharovite-zn

Classic worldwide localities

Mt. Lepkhe-Nelm, Lovozero alkaline massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In cavities in eudialyte-aegirine-feldspar pegmatite in an alkaline massif. If you start seeing lamprophyllite, natrolite, halloysite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic, tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify alsakharovite-zn?+

Mohs hardness is 5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include white, pale brown, colorless.

Where is alsakharovite-zn found?+

Notable localities include Mt. Lepkhe-Nelm, Lovozero alkaline massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia.

What rocks look like alsakharovite-zn?+

Alsakharovite-Zn is most often confused with Labuntsovite, Nenadkevichite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with alsakharovite-zn?+

Alsakharovite-Zn commonly co-occurs with Lamprophyllite, Natrolite, Halloysite, Ranciéite, Kuzmenkoite-Zn, Tsepinite-Na. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does alsakharovite-zn form in?+

Where it forms: In cavities in eudialyte-aegirine-feldspar pegmatite in an alkaline massif. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is alsakharovite-zn used for?+

Alsakharovite-Zn is used in collector.

Find alsakharovite-zn on the map

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