Clinophosinaite is a rare sodium calcium phosphate silicate found primarily in the hyperalkaline rocks of the Khibiny Massif. It occurs as small, colorless to pale yellow prismatic crystals and is frequently associated with other exotic minerals in pegmatitic veins.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Semitransparent

mineralrare

Clinophosinaite

Hardness: 4
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Semitransparent

Is this clinophosinaite?

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 clinophosinaite with a known reference. Clinophosinaite sits at Mohs 4, 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: light violet.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.

Often found alongside clinophosinaite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₃Ca(SiO₃)(PO₄)
Mohs hardness: 4
Density: 2.85-2.88 g/cm³
Colors: Light violet
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Semitransparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Prismatic crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Apparently as an alteration product of eudialyte in alkalic pegmatites in a differentiated alkalic massif

Where rockhounds find clinophosinaite

Classic worldwide localities

Mts. Yukspor and Koashva, Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Apparently as an alteration product of eudialyte in alkalic pegmatites in a differentiated alkalic massif. If you start seeing zirsinalite, eudialyte in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify clinophosinaite?+

Mohs hardness is 4. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include light violet.

Where is clinophosinaite found?+

Notable localities include Mts. Yukspor and Koashva, Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia.

What minerals are found with clinophosinaite?+

Clinophosinaite commonly co-occurs with Zirsinalite, Eudialyte. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does clinophosinaite form in?+

Where it forms: Apparently as an alteration product of eudialyte in alkalic pegmatites in a differentiated alkalic massif. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is clinophosinaite used for?+

Clinophosinaite is used in collector.

Find clinophosinaite on the map

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