Belkovite is a rare barium-niobium silicate mineral found primarily in the alkaline pegmatites of the Kola Peninsula. It typically occurs as small, dark prismatic to tabular crystals associated with other niobium-bearing minerals.
Is this belkovite?
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 belkovite with a known reference. Belkovite sits at Mohs 6-7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: prismatic to tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Belkovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads adamantine on Belkovite and vitreous to dull on Eudialyte.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Belkovite leaves white, Lorenzenite leaves light brownish yellow; luster reads adamantine on Belkovite and vitreous, adamantine to submetallic, or silky, dull on Lorenzenite.
Often found alongside belkovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with belkovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ba₃Nb₆(Si₂O₇)₂O₁₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6-7
- Density
- 4.16 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic to tabular crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Of secondary origin, formed by alteration of barium-rich pyrochlore during dolomitization of calcite carbonatites in pyroxenites
Where rockhounds find belkovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Vuoriyarvi carbonatite complex, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Of secondary origin, formed by alteration of barium-rich pyrochlore during dolomitization of calcite carbonatites in pyroxenites. If you start seeing magnetite, pyrochlore, phlogopite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic to tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify belkovite?+
Where is belkovite found?+
Is belkovite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like belkovite?+
What minerals are found with belkovite?+
What kind of rock does belkovite form in?+
What is belkovite used for?+
Find belkovite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
