Calcinaksite is a very rare silicate mineral typically found in the alkaline pegmatites of the Kola Peninsula. It is generally discovered as small, colorless to white tabular crystals embedded within complex igneous mineral assemblages. Collectors prize it primarily for its scarcity and specific geological occurrence.

Hardness

Mohs

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Calcinaksite

Hardness: 5
Transparency: Translucent

No image

Is this calcinaksite?

3-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 calcinaksite with a known reference. Calcinaksite sits at Mohs 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless.
3
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside calcinaksite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: KNaCaSi₄O₁₀·H₂O
Mohs hardness: 5
Density: 2.62 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals
Cleavage: Perfect on {001} and {010}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: The product of contact metamorphism (metasomatism) of a xenolith of a calcic carbonate rock hosted in alkaline basalt

Where rockhounds find calcinaksite

Classic worldwide localities

Khibiny Massif, Russia
Lovozero Massif, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: The product of contact metamorphism (metasomatism) of a xenolith of a calcic carbonate rock hosted in alkaline basalt. If you start seeing wollastonite, gehlenite, brownmillerite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify calcinaksite?+

Mohs hardness is 5. Common colors include colorless.

Where is calcinaksite found?+

Notable localities include Khibiny Massif, Russia; Lovozero Massif, Russia.

What rocks look like calcinaksite?+

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

What minerals are found with calcinaksite?+

Calcinaksite commonly co-occurs with Wollastonite, Gehlenite, Brownmillerite, Larnite, Quartz, Aragonite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does calcinaksite form in?+

Where it forms: The product of contact metamorphism (metasomatism) of a xenolith of a calcic carbonate rock hosted in alkaline basalt. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is calcinaksite used for?+

Calcinaksite is used in collector.

Find calcinaksite on the map

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