Bonshtedtite is a rare phosphate-carbonate mineral discovered in alkaline rock complexes, specifically those of the Kola Peninsula. It typically occurs as small, colorless to pale yellow tabular crystals embedded in pegmatitic matrices, often associated with other rare alkaline minerals like sidorenkite.
Is this bonshtedtite?
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 bonshtedtite with a known reference. Bonshtedtite sits at Mohs ~4, 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: vitreous, pearly on cleavages.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, rose, yellowish, greenish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals or crystalline aggregates.
Often confused with
Bonshtedtite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside bonshtedtite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bonshtedtite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₃Fe(PO₄)(CO₃)
- Mohs hardness
- ~4
- Density
- 2.95-3.16 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous, pearly on cleavages
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals or crystalline aggregates
- Cleavage
- {010}, {100}, perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In veinlets associated with alkali-carbonate metasomatism of alkalic massifs
Where rockhounds find bonshtedtite
Classic worldwide localities
- Khibiny Massif, Russia
- Kovdor Massif, Russia
- Lovozero Massif, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In veinlets associated with alkali-carbonate metasomatism of alkalic massifs. If you start seeing shortite, thermonatrite, eitelite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals or crystalline aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify bonshtedtite?+
Where is bonshtedtite found?+
What rocks look like bonshtedtite?+
What minerals are found with bonshtedtite?+
What kind of rock does bonshtedtite form in?+
What is bonshtedtite used for?+
Find bonshtedtite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
