Dovyrenite is a rare calcium-zirconium silicate mineral discovered in the contact metamorphic zones of the Dovyren Massif in Russia. It typically appears as light brown to colorless prismatic crystals or radial aggregates within skarn deposits, making it a highly sought-after rarity for advanced collectors.
Is this dovyrenite?
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 dovyrenite with a known reference. Dovyrenite sits at Mohs 5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Dovyrenite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Dovyrenite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: light brown, yellowish brown, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Dovyrenite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside dovyrenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with dovyrenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₆Zr(Si₂O₇)(OH)₆
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 2.95 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Skarns in Contact Metamorphic Zones
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find dovyrenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Dovyren Massif, Lake Baikal region, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in skarns in contact metamorphic zones country — that is the host setting where dovyrenite typically forms. If you start seeing grossular, diopside, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find dovyrenite on the map
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