Fedorovskite is a rare magnesium-calcium borate mineral typically found in metamorphic skarn deposits. Collectors prize it for its association with other borate minerals, appearing most often as white to colorless granular masses within rock matrices.
Is this fedorovskite?
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 fedorovskite with a known reference. Fedorovskite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Fedorovskite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Fedorovskite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, yellowish-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: granular aggregates, massive, sometimes as small crystals in cavities.
Often confused with
Fedorovskite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Sinhalite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 3.5).
How to tell apart: Ludwigite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 3.5); streak differs — Fedorovskite leaves white, Ludwigite leaves black; luster reads vitreous on Fedorovskite and submetallic on Ludwigite.
How to tell apart: Suanite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5 vs. 3.5).
Often found alongside fedorovskite
Minerals reported to co-occur with fedorovskite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaMgB₂O₄(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 2.71 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Granular Aggregates, Massive, Sometimes as Small Crystals in Cavities
- Cleavage
- None Observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Boron-rich Skarns
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find fedorovskite
Classic worldwide localities
- Fedorovskoye deposit, Russia
- Tas-Khayakhtakh Range, Russia
- Sayak deposit, Kazakhstan
Field-hunting tip
Look in boron-rich skarns country — that is the host setting where fedorovskite typically forms. If you start seeing suanite, ludwigite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a granular aggregates, massive, sometimes as small crystals in cavities habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify fedorovskite?+
Where is fedorovskite found?+
How much is fedorovskite worth?+
What rocks look like fedorovskite?+
What minerals are found with fedorovskite?+
What kind of rock does fedorovskite form in?+
What is fedorovskite used for?+
Find fedorovskite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
