Bulgakite is a rare lithium calcium sodium silicate that forms brownish orange platy crystals and irregular grains. It occurs in fenitized amphibole-quartz-feldspar rock from a complex alkaline massif. It was first described from the moraine of the Darai-Pioz glacier, Zeravshan, and Alay Ranges, Tajikistan.
Is this bulgakite?
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 bulgakite with a known reference. Bulgakite sits at Mohs ~3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brownish orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals and irregular grains.
Often confused with
Bulgakite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Eudialyte is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-6 vs. ~3); streak differs, so Bulgakite leaves pale brown, Eudialyte leaves white.
How to tell apart: Wadeite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-6.5 vs. ~3); streak differs, so Bulgakite leaves pale brown, Wadeite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Bulgakite and adamantine on Wadeite.
Often found alongside bulgakite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bulgakite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Li₂(Ca,Na)Fe²⁺₇Ti₂(Si₄O₁₂)₂O₂(OH)₄(O,F)(H₂O)₂
- Mohs hardness
- ~3
- Density
- 3.30 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale brown
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals and irregular grains
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}, moderate on {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In fenitized amphibole-quartz-feldspar rock from a complex alkaline massif
Where rockhounds find bulgakite
Classic worldwide localities
- Moraine of the Darai-Pioz glacier, and Alay Ranges, Tajikistan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In fenitized amphibole-quartz-feldspar rock from a complex alkaline massif. If you start seeing alkali amphibole, quartz, microcline in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals and irregular grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find bulgakite on the map
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