Amakinite is a rare iron-rich member of the brucite group primarily found within kimberlite pipes. It typically appears as yellowish tabular crystals or massive aggregates that are often susceptible to alteration.

Hardness

2.5

Mohs

Luster

Pearly

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareBrucite Group family

Amakinite

Hardness: 2.5
Luster: Pearly
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this amakinite?

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 amakinite with a known reference. Amakinite sits at Mohs 2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Amakinite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Amakinite typically shows a pearly luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, greenish-yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside amakinite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: (Fe²⁺,Mg)(OH)₂
Mohs hardness: 2.5
Density: 2.5 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Greenish-yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Pearly
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals, Massive
Cleavage: Perfect Basal
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Kimberlite Pipes
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find amakinite

Classic worldwide localities

Mir kimberlite pipe, Russia
Udachnaya pipe, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in kimberlite pipes country, the host setting where amakinite typically forms. If you start seeing serpentine, calcite, magnetite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify amakinite?+

Mohs hardness is 2.5. It typically shows a pearly luster. The streak is white. Common colors include yellow, greenish-yellow.

Where is amakinite found?+

Notable localities include Mir kimberlite pipe, Russia; Udachnaya pipe, Russia.

How much is amakinite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like amakinite?+

Amakinite is most often confused with Brucite, Pyrochroite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with amakinite?+

Amakinite commonly co-occurs with Serpentine, Calcite, Magnetite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does amakinite form in?+

Amakinite typically forms in kimberlite pipes. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is amakinite used for?+

Amakinite is used in collector.

Find amakinite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.