Fedorite is a rare phyllosilicate mineral typically occurring as thin, pearly, micaceous flakes or platy crystals within alkaline rock environments. Collectors often find it associated with other exotic minerals in the pegmatites of the Khibiny or Murun Massifs. Due to its delicate, sheet-like structure and rarity, it is primarily sought after by advanced mineral collectors specializing in rare silicates.
Is this fedorite?
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 fedorite with a known reference. Fedorite sits at Mohs 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Fedorite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Fedorite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, micaceous aggregates.
Often confused with
Fedorite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside fedorite
Minerals reported to co-occur with fedorite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- KNa₂Ca₂(Si₈O₁₉)(OH,F)₂·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 2.35 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Micaceous Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Pegmatites and Nepheline Syenites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find fedorite
Classic worldwide localities
- Khibiny Massif, Russia
- Murun Massif, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline pegmatites and nepheline syenites country — that is the host setting where fedorite typically forms. If you start seeing pectolite, aegirine, microcline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, micaceous aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify fedorite?+
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Find fedorite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
