Denisovite is a rare phyllosilicate mineral typically occurring as platy or lamellar aggregates in alkaline igneous complexes. It is most commonly found in the Khibiny Massif of Russia, where it forms in pegmatite veins associated with other rare silicate minerals.
Is this denisovite?
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 denisovite with a known reference. Denisovite 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. Denisovite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Denisovite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, yellowish, grayish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: lamellar to platy crystals.
Often confused with
Denisovite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside denisovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with denisovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₄KNaSi₆O₁₆(F,OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 2.66 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Lamellar to Platy Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find denisovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Murun Massif, Yakutia, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline pegmatites country — that is the host setting where denisovite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, microcline, nepheline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a lamellar to platy crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find denisovite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
