Eliseevite is a very rare borosilicate mineral found in hyper-agpaitic pegmatites of the Kola Peninsula. It typically forms thin, delicate platy crystals associated with other rare alkaline minerals in complex geological environments.
Is this eliseevite?
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 eliseevite with a known reference. Eliseevite 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: colorless, pale creamy.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals.
Often found alongside eliseevite
Minerals reported to co-occur with eliseevite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₁.₅Li{Ti₂O₂[Si₄O₁₀.₅(OH)₁.₅]}·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- ~5
- Density
- 2.68 g/cm³
- Colors
- ColorlessPale creamy
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- alkaline pegmatites
Where rockhounds find eliseevite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: alkaline pegmatites. If you start seeing albite, analcime, catapleiite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify eliseevite?+
Where is eliseevite found?+
What minerals are found with eliseevite?+
What kind of rock does eliseevite form in?+
What is eliseevite used for?+
Find eliseevite on the map
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