Bykovaite is a rare member of the labuntsovite group found primarily in alkaline pegmatites. It typically occurs as small prismatic crystals with a distinct yellowish-cream colored hue and is usually found in association with other rare minerals in the Kola Peninsula.
Is this bykovaite?
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 bykovaite with a known reference. Bykovaite 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: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: silky.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: creamy yellow, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: spherical.
Often confused with
Bykovaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Labuntsovite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6 vs. 3); luster reads silky on Bykovaite and greasy on Labuntsovite.
How to tell apart: Nenadkevichite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 3); luster reads silky on Bykovaite and vitreous to dull on Nenadkevichite.
Often found alongside bykovaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bykovaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ba,Na,K)₂(Na,Ti,Mn)₄(Ti,Nb)₂O₂Si₄O₁₄(H₂O,F,OH)₂·3.5H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.98 g/cm³
- Colors
- Creamy yellowPale yellow
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Silky
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Spherical
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}, imperfect on {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In the core of a zoned pegmatite in poikilitic nepheline-sodalite syenite of the central part of an alkaline igneous complex
Where rockhounds find bykovaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Alluaiv, Lovozero Massif, Kola, Russia (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In the core of a zoned pegmatite in poikilitic nepheline-sodalite syenite of the central part of an alkaline igneous complex. If you start seeing vuonnemite, ussingite, bornemanite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: spherical. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify bykovaite?+
Where is bykovaite found?+
What rocks look like bykovaite?+
What minerals are found with bykovaite?+
What kind of rock does bykovaite form in?+
What is bykovaite used for?+
Find bykovaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
