Ershovite is a rare silicate mineral found in the unique alkaline igneous rocks of the Khibiny Massif. It typically forms as delicate, translucent, tabular crystals or radial sprays within cavities of pegmatites.

Hardness

2-3

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Ershovite

Hardness: 2-3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this ershovite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch ershovite with a known reference. Ershovite sits at Mohs 2-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: olive green, brownish green, yellowish green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: anhedral grains, fibrous.

Often confused with

Ershovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Raite

Mohs 3

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Ershovite leaves white, Raite leaves yellow.

Often found alongside ershovite

Minerals reported to co-occur with ershovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₄K(Fe³⁺,Mn,Ti)Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂·4H₂O
Mohs hardness: 2-3
Density: 2.75 g/cm³
Colors: Olive green Brownish green Yellowish green
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Anhedral grains, fibrous
Cleavage: {100} and {010}, perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In unweathered ultra-agpaitic pegmatites in a differentiated alkalic massif

Where rockhounds find ershovite

Classic worldwide localities

Mts. Rasvumchorr and Koashva, Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In unweathered ultra-agpaitic pegmatites in a differentiated alkalic massif. If you start seeing orthoclase, nepheline, sodalite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains, fibrous. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify ershovite?+

Mohs hardness is 2-3. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include olive green, brownish green, yellowish green.

Where is ershovite found?+

Notable localities include Mts. Rasvumchorr and Koashva, Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia.

What rocks look like ershovite?+

Ershovite is most often confused with Raite, Zorite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with ershovite?+

Ershovite commonly co-occurs with Orthoclase, Nepheline, Sodalite, Aegirine, Alkalic amphibole, Villiaumite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does ershovite form in?+

Where it forms: In unweathered ultra-agpaitic pegmatites in a differentiated alkalic massif. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is ershovite used for?+

Ershovite is used in collector.

Find ershovite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.