Chesnokovite is an extremely rare sodium silicate hydrate found primarily in the ultra-alkaline rocks of the Khibiny Massif. It typically occurs as small, delicate, colorless platy crystals associated with other pegmatite minerals. Collectors should handle specimens with extreme care as it is prone to dehydration when exposed to air.
Is this chesnokovite?
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 chesnokovite with a known reference. Chesnokovite sits at Mohs 2.5, 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: dull vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale brownish yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: deliquescent, lamellar.
Often confused with
Chesnokovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Natrolite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-5.5 vs. 2.5); luster reads dull vitreous on Chesnokovite and vitreous to pearly on Natrolite.
How to tell apart: Scolecite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-5.5 vs. 2.5); luster reads dull vitreous on Chesnokovite and vitreous, silky when fibrous on Scolecite.
Often found alongside chesnokovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with chesnokovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂[SiO₂(OH)₂]·8H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 1.68 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Dull vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Deliquescent, lamellar
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {010}, good on {100} and {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A late hydrothermal mineral, intergrown with natrophosphate in a ussingite vein in an alkaline igneous complex
Where rockhounds find chesnokovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kedykverpakhk–22 vein, Mt. Kedykverpakhk, Karnasurt mine, Lovozero alkaline massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A late hydrothermal mineral, intergrown with natrophosphate in a ussingite vein in an alkaline igneous complex. If you start seeing natrophosphate, natrolite, sodalite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: deliquescent, lamellar. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify chesnokovite?+
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What rocks look like chesnokovite?+
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Find chesnokovite on the map
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