Elbrusite is a highly unusual, uranium-bearing member of the garnet group discovered in the Northern Caucasus. It typically occurs as small, dark, subhedral to euhedral crystals within rare skarn assemblages and is prized primarily by advanced mineralogists for its complex chemistry.
Is this elbrusite?
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 elbrusite with a known reference. Elbrusite sits at Mohs 7-7.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Elbrusite leaves a brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Elbrusite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, dark brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals.
Often confused with
Elbrusite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside elbrusite
Minerals reported to co-occur with elbrusite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₃(U⁶⁺,Zr,Sb⁵⁺)₂(Fe³⁺,Al)₃O₁₂
- Mohs hardness
- 7-7.5
- Density
- 4.15 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brown
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Dodecahedral Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Skarn and Altered Carbonate Xenoliths in Igneous Rocks
- Typical price
- $100-500+ for rare micro-specimens
Where rockhounds find elbrusite
Classic worldwide localities
- Chegem caldera (Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia)
Field-hunting tip
Look in skarn and altered carbonate xenoliths in igneous rocks country — that is the host setting where elbrusite typically forms. If you start seeing ettringite, reinhardbraunsite, wadalite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a dodecahedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find elbrusite on the map
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