Davinciite is an extremely rare cyclosilicate mineral found primarily in the hyper-alkaline environments of the Lovozero Massif. It typically forms as small, dark lilacish trigonal crystals and is part of the eudialyte group. Collectors prize it for its restricted geological occurrence and chemical complexity.
Is this davinciite?
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 davinciite with a known reference. Davinciite sits at Mohs 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark lilac.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal 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
- Na₁₂K₃Ca₆Fe₃Zr₃(Si₂₆O₇₃OH)Cl₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 2.82 g/cm³
- Colors
- Dark lilac
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Rhombohedral crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- As relict inclusions in rastsvetaevite in a hyperalkaline nepheline-sodalite pegmatite
Where rockhounds find davinciite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mount Rasvumchorr, Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: As relict inclusions in rastsvetaevite in a hyperalkaline nepheline-sodalite pegmatite. If you start seeing rastsvetaevite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: rhombohedral crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify davinciite?+
Where is davinciite found?+
What rocks look like davinciite?+
What minerals are found with davinciite?+
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Find davinciite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
