Davinciite is an extremely rare cyclosilicate mineral found primarily in the hyper-alkaline environments of the Lovozero Massif. It typically forms as small, yellowish trigonal crystals and is part of the eudialyte group. Collectors prize it for its restricted geological occurrence and chemical complexity.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Davinciite

Hardness: 5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

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Is this davinciite?

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 davinciite with a known reference. Davinciite sits at Mohs 5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Davinciite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Davinciite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish-yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: rhombohedral crystals.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside davinciite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₁₂K₃Ca₆Fe₃Zr₃Si₂₆O₇₄(OH)₃Cl₅
Mohs hardness: 5
Density: 2.95 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Brownish-yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Rhombohedral Crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Agpaitic Pegmatites
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find davinciite

Classic worldwide localities

Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in agpaitic pegmatites country — that is the host setting where davinciite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, nepheline, microcline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a rhombohedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify davinciite?+

Mohs hardness is 5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include yellow, brownish-yellow.

Where is davinciite found?+

Notable localities include Kola Peninsula, Russia.

How much is davinciite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like davinciite?+

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

What minerals are found with davinciite?+

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

What kind of rock does davinciite form in?+

Davinciite typically forms in agpaitic pegmatites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is davinciite used for?+

Davinciite is used in collector.

Find davinciite on the map

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