Bulgakite is a rare cyclosilicate mineral found primarily in alkaline pegmatites of the Kola Peninsula. It typically occurs as small tabular crystals or intergrown aggregates associated with minerals like eudialyte and aegirine.

Hardness

3.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Bulgakite

Hardness: 3.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this bulgakite?

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 bulgakite with a known reference. Bulgakite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Bulgakite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Bulgakite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, colorless, yellowish, grayish.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, aggregates.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Eudialyte

Mohs 5-6

How to tell apart: Eudialyte is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-6 vs. 3.5).

How to tell apart: Wadeite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6 vs. 3.5).

Compare →

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: Na₅Ca₅ZrSi₆O₁₈(CO₃)Cl·nH₂O
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Density: 2.58 g/cm³
Colors: White Colorless Yellowish Grayish
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals, Aggregates
Cleavage: Good
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Alkaline Pegmatites
Typical price: $50-500 depending on specimen quality

Where rockhounds find bulgakite

Classic worldwide localities

Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in alkaline pegmatites country — that is the host setting where bulgakite typically forms. If you start seeing microcline, aegirine, nepheline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify bulgakite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include white, colorless, yellowish, grayish.

Where is bulgakite found?+

Notable localities include Kola Peninsula, Russia.

How much is bulgakite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-500 depending on specimen quality. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like bulgakite?+

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

What minerals are found with bulgakite?+

Bulgakite commonly co-occurs with Microcline, Aegirine, Nepheline, Eudialyte. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does bulgakite form in?+

Bulgakite typically forms in alkaline pegmatites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is bulgakite used for?+

Bulgakite is used in collector.

Find bulgakite on the map

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