Faizievite is an extremely rare silicate mineral found in alkaline pegmatites, specifically in the Dara-i-Pioz glacier region of Tajikistan. It typically occurs as small, colorless transparent prismatic crystals that are structurally related to the milarite-osumilite group. Collectors prioritize it for its high rarity and specific geological locality.

Hardness

4-4.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Faizievite

Hardness: 4-4.5
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent

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Is this faizievite?

4-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 faizievite with a known reference. Faizievite sits at Mohs 4-4.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
3
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless.
4
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Beryl

Mohs 7.5-8

How to tell apart: Beryl is the harder of the two (Mohs 7.5-8 vs. 4-4.5).

How to tell apart: Milarite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5-6 vs. 4-4.5).

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Often found alongside faizievite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: K₂Li₆Na(Ca₆Na)Ti₄[Si₆O₁₈]₂[Si₁₂O₃₀]F₂
Mohs hardness: 4-4.5
Density: 2.83 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Prismatic crystals
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In a quartz-pectolite boulder in the moraine of a glacier eroding an alkaline massif

Where rockhounds find faizievite

Classic worldwide localities

Dar-i-Pioz glacier, Alai mountain range, northern Tajikistan (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In a quartz-pectolite boulder in the moraine of a glacier eroding an alkaline massif. If you start seeing baratovite, fluorite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify faizievite?+

Mohs hardness is 4-4.5. Luster: vitreous. Common colors include colorless.

Where is faizievite found?+

Notable localities include Dar-i-Pioz glacier, Alai mountain range, northern Tajikistan (type locality).

What rocks look like faizievite?+

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

What minerals are found with faizievite?+

Faizievite commonly co-occurs with Baratovite, Fluorite, Quartz, Pectolite, Aegirine, Luorite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does faizievite form in?+

Where it forms: In a quartz-pectolite boulder in the moraine of a glacier eroding an alkaline massif. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is faizievite used for?+

Faizievite is used in collector.

Find faizievite on the map

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