Chirvinskyite is an extremely rare silicate mineral typically found as small, thin tabular crystals in alkaline pegmatite environments. Collectors primarily find it as a microscopic or thumbnail specimen associated with other rare-earth bearing minerals from the Khibiny Massif. Identification usually requires professional analysis or XRD due to its superficial resemblance to other complex sheet silicates in the region.
Is this chirvinskyite?
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 chirvinskyite with a known reference. Chirvinskyite sits at Mohs 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Chirvinskyite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Chirvinskyite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-brown, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Chirvinskyite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Chirvinskyite leaves white, Astrophyllite leaves golden-brown; luster reads vitreous on Chirvinskyite and submetallic on Astrophyllite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Chirvinskyite leaves white, Kupletskite leaves brown; luster reads vitreous on Chirvinskyite and submetallic on Kupletskite.
Often found alongside chirvinskyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with chirvinskyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (K,Na,Ba)₄(Fe,Mn,Ti,Nb)₄(Si₂O₇)₂(OH,F)₄·nH₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 2.7-2.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300+ depending on matrix association
Where rockhounds find chirvinskyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline pegmatites country — that is the host setting where chirvinskyite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, nepheline, microcline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find chirvinskyite on the map
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