Girvasite is a rare phosphate mineral found in the alkaline rocks of the Kovdor Massif. It typically forms as small, tabular, transparent crystals associated with calcite and magnetite in phosphate-rich pegmatites.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Girvasite

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

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Is this girvasite?

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 girvasite with a known reference. Girvasite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Girvasite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Girvasite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Apatite

Mohs 5

How to tell apart: Apatite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 3).

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Often found alongside girvasite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: NaCa₂Mg₄(PO₄)₂(CO₃)(OH)₂·4H₂O
Mohs hardness: 3
Density: 2.44 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White Pale Yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Alkaline Igneous Rocks
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find girvasite

Classic worldwide localities

Kovdor Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in alkaline igneous rocks country — that is the host setting where girvasite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, forsterite, magnetite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify girvasite?+

Mohs hardness is 3. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white, pale yellow.

Where is girvasite found?+

Notable localities include Kovdor Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia.

How much is girvasite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like girvasite?+

Girvasite is most often confused with Apatite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with girvasite?+

Girvasite commonly co-occurs with calcite, forsterite, magnetite, apatite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does girvasite form in?+

Girvasite typically forms in alkaline igneous rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is girvasite used for?+

Girvasite is used in collector.

Find girvasite on the map

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