Fersmanite is a rare titanium-rich silicate mineral found primarily in the complex alkaline rocks of the Kola Peninsula. It is typically identified by its distinct wedge-shaped to tabular crystals often associated with other rare alkaline minerals like eudialyte and aegirine.
Is this fersmanite?
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 fersmanite with a known reference. Fersmanite sits at Mohs 5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Fersmanite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Fersmanite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, yellowish-brown, reddish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, wedge-shaped, massive.
Often confused with
Fersmanite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Fersmanite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5.5 vs. 2-3).
How to tell apart: Fersmanite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5.5 vs. 3); streak differs — Fersmanite leaves white, Astrophyllite leaves golden-brown; luster reads vitreous on Fersmanite and submetallic on Astrophyllite.
Often found alongside fersmanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with fersmanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ca,Na,REE)₄(Ti,Nb)₂(Si₂O₇)₂(O,F,OH)₄
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 3.43 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Wedge-shaped, Massive
- Cleavage
- None Observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Nepheline Syenite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen quality and size
Where rockhounds find fersmanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Lovozero Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in nepheline syenite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where fersmanite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, nepheline, eudialyte in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, wedge-shaped, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify fersmanite?+
Where is fersmanite found?+
How much is fersmanite worth?+
What rocks look like fersmanite?+
What minerals are found with fersmanite?+
What kind of rock does fersmanite form in?+
What is fersmanite used for?+
Find fersmanite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
