Gorbunovite is a rare titanium-niobium silicate mineral found primarily within the highly alkaline pegmatites of the Khibiny Massif. It typically occurs as small, yellow, platy crystals, requiring careful microscopic examination to distinguish it from related members of the Tundrite group.

Hardness

3.5-4

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareTundrite Group family

Gorbunovite

Hardness: 3.5-4
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent

No image

Is this gorbunovite?

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 gorbunovite with a known reference. Gorbunovite sits at Mohs 3.5-4, 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: yellow, brownish yellow, orange.
4
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Labuntsovite

Mohs 6

How to tell apart: Labuntsovite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6 vs. 3.5-4); luster reads vitreous on Gorbunovite and greasy on Labuntsovite.

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Often found alongside gorbunovite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: CsLi₂(Ti,Fe³⁺)Si₄O₁₀(F,OH,O)₂
Mohs hardness: 3.5-4
Density: 3.59 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Brownish yellow Orange
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Platy crystals
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: agpaitic pegmatites in alkaline complexes

Where rockhounds find gorbunovite

Classic worldwide localities

Darai-Pioz glacier, Alai mountain range, Tien Shan, Rashtskiy (formerly Garmskiy) district, Tajikistan

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: agpaitic pegmatites in alkaline complexes. If you start seeing nepheline, aegirine, microcline in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify gorbunovite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5-4. Luster: vitreous. Common colors include yellow, brownish yellow, orange.

Where is gorbunovite found?+

Notable localities include Darai-Pioz glacier, Alai mountain range, Tien Shan, Rashtskiy (formerly Garmskiy) district, Tajikistan.

What rocks look like gorbunovite?+

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

What minerals are found with gorbunovite?+

Gorbunovite commonly co-occurs with Nepheline, Aegirine, Microcline, Eudialyte. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does gorbunovite form in?+

Where it forms: agpaitic pegmatites in alkaline complexes. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is gorbunovite used for?+

Gorbunovite is used in collector.

Find gorbunovite on the map

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