Davanite is a rare potassium titanium silicate mineral primarily found in the agpaitic pegmatites of the Khibiny Massif in Russia. It typically forms colorless to white platy, tabular crystals that are difficult to distinguish from other similar silicates without X-ray diffraction analysis. Collectors prize it as a rare species of the Khibiny locality, often occurring associated with other complex titanium-bearing minerals.
Is this davanite?
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 davanite with a known reference. Davanite 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. Davanite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Davanite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, tabular aggregates.
Often confused with
Davanite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside davanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with davanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K₂TiSi₆O₁₅
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 2.85 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Tabular Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Research
- Host rock
- Agpaitic Pegmatites in Alkaline Igneous Complexes
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find davanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in agpaitic pegmatites in alkaline igneous complexes country — that is the host setting where davanite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, microcline, nepheline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, tabular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find davanite on the map
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