Bøgvadite is an extremely rare fluoride mineral known almost exclusively from the famous Ivigtut cryolite deposit in Greenland. It typically occurs as small, colorless, tabular crystals associated with primary cryolite and other fluoride species, making it a highly sought-after specimen for advanced systematic mineral collectors.
Is this bøgvadite?
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 bøgvadite with a known reference. Bøgvadite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Bøgvadite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Bøgvadite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Bøgvadite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside bøgvadite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bøgvadite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂SrBa₂Al₂F₁₄
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 3.88 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Cryolite Deposit in Granite Pegmatite
- Typical price
- n/a
Where rockhounds find bøgvadite
Classic worldwide localities
- Ivigtut, Greenland
Field-hunting tip
Look in cryolite deposit in granite pegmatite country — that is the host setting where bøgvadite typically forms. If you start seeing cryolite, siderite, fluorite 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
How do you identify bøgvadite?+
Where is bøgvadite found?+
How much is bøgvadite worth?+
What rocks look like bøgvadite?+
What minerals are found with bøgvadite?+
What kind of rock does bøgvadite form in?+
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Find bøgvadite on the map
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