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.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Bøgvadite

Hardness: >3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this bøgvadite?

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 bøgvadite with a known reference. Bøgvadite 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.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: blocky.

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: Na₂Ba₂SrAl₄F₂₀
Mohs hardness: >3
Density: 3.85 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Blocky
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In the cryolite deposit

Where rockhounds find bøgvadite

Classic worldwide localities

Ivigtut cryolite deposit, southwestern Greenland

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In the cryolite deposit. If you start seeing jarlite, ralstonite, barite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: blocky. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify bøgvadite?+

Mohs hardness is >3. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless.

Where is bøgvadite found?+

Notable localities include Ivigtut cryolite deposit, southwestern Greenland.

What rocks look like bøgvadite?+

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

What minerals are found with bøgvadite?+

Bøgvadite commonly co-occurs with Jarlite, Ralstonite, Barite, Potassian mica, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does bøgvadite form in?+

Where it forms: In the cryolite deposit. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is bøgvadite used for?+

Bøgvadite is used in collector.

Find bøgvadite on the map

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