Berezanskite is an extremely rare member of the milarite group primarily known from the Berezovskoe gold deposit in Russia. It typically occurs as small, colorless to pale pink hexagonal prismatic crystals within hydrothermal vein assemblages. It is highly sought after by advanced mineral collectors specializing in complex silicates and rare framework minerals.

Hardness

2.5-3

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous to pearly

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareMilarite Group family

Berezanskite

Hardness: 2.5-3
Luster: Vitreous to pearly
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this berezanskite?

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 berezanskite with a known reference. Berezanskite sits at Mohs 2.5-3, 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 to pearly.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: granular, platy.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Milarite

Mohs 5.5-6

How to tell apart: Milarite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5-6 vs. 2.5-3).

How to tell apart: Osumilite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-5.5 vs. 2.5-3); streak differs, so Berezanskite leaves white, Osumilite leaves blue-gray.

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Often found alongside berezanskite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: KLi₃Ti₂Si₁₂O₃₀
Mohs hardness: 2.5-3
Density: 2.66 g/cm³
Colors: White
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous to pearly
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Granular, platy
Cleavage: Perfect on {0001}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific research
Host rock: In a block of alkali pegmatite in glacial moraine

Where rockhounds find berezanskite

Classic worldwide localities

The moraine at the Dara-i-Pioz glacier in the Pamir Mountains, Garm region, Tadzhikistan (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In a block of alkali pegmatite in glacial moraine. If you start seeing quartz, aegirine, microcline in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular, platy. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify berezanskite?+

Mohs hardness is 2.5-3. Luster: vitreous to pearly. The streak is white. Common colors include white.

Where is berezanskite found?+

Notable localities include The moraine at the Dara-i-Pioz glacier in the Pamir Mountains, Garm region, Tadzhikistan (type locality).

What rocks look like berezanskite?+

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

What minerals are found with berezanskite?+

Berezanskite commonly co-occurs with Quartz, Aegirine, Microcline, Cs-kupletskite, Hyalotekite, Polylithionite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does berezanskite form in?+

Where it forms: In a block of alkali pegmatite in glacial moraine. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is berezanskite used for?+

Berezanskite is used in collector, scientific research.

Find berezanskite on the map

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