Chivruaiite is a rare mineral from the Labuntsovite group typically found in the alkaline pegmatites of the Kola Peninsula. It usually appears as small, vibrant yellow to brownish-yellow prismatic crystals associated with other rare alkaline minerals.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareLabuntsovite Group family

Chivruaiite

Hardness: 3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this chivruaiite?

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 chivruaiite with a known reference. Chivruaiite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: pale pink, colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular, aggregates, radial.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Labuntsovite

Mohs 6

How to tell apart: Labuntsovite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6 vs. 3); luster reads vitreous on Chivruaiite and greasy on Labuntsovite.

How to tell apart: Nenadkevichite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 3).

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Often found alongside chivruaiite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₄(Ti,Nb)₅(Si₆O₁₇)₂(OH,O)₅·13-14H₂O
Mohs hardness: 3
Density: 2.4-2.42 g/cm³
Colors: Pale pink Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Acicular, aggregates, radial
Cleavage: Distinct on {100}; distinct on {010}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Found in three different hydrothermal veins within the Khibiny and Lovozero alkaline massifs associated with microcline, eudialyte, natrolite, astrophyllite, aegirine, etc

Where rockhounds find chivruaiite

Classic worldwide localities

Chivruai river valley, Lovozero massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Found in three different hydrothermal veins within the Khibiny and Lovozero alkaline massifs associated with microcline, eudialyte, natrolite, astrophyllite, aegirine, etc. If you start seeing eudialyte, microcline, aegirine in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular, aggregates, radial. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify chivruaiite?+

Mohs hardness is 3. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include pale pink, colorless.

Where is chivruaiite found?+

Notable localities include Chivruai river valley, Lovozero massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia (type locality).

What rocks look like chivruaiite?+

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

What minerals are found with chivruaiite?+

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

What kind of rock does chivruaiite form in?+

Where it forms: Found in three different hydrothermal veins within the Khibiny and Lovozero alkaline massifs associated with microcline, eudialyte, natrolite, astrophyllite, aegirine, etc. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is chivruaiite used for?+

Chivruaiite is used in collector.

Find chivruaiite on the map

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