Gutkovaite-Mn is a rare member of the labuntsovite group typically found as small, prismatic crystals within alkaline pegmatites. Collectors primarily find this mineral in the unique geological environments of the Kola Peninsula in Russia, often associated with other rare alkaline minerals.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareLabuntsovite Group family

Gutkovaite-Mn

Hardness: 5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this gutkovaite-mn?

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 gutkovaite-mn with a known reference. Gutkovaite-Mn sits at Mohs 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: pale yellowish pink.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic.

Often confused with

Gutkovaite-Mn 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. 5); luster reads vitreous on Gutkovaite-Mn and greasy on Labuntsovite.

Often found alongside gutkovaite-mn

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

All properties

Chemical formula: CaK₂Mn(Ti,Nb)₄(Si₄O₁₂)₂(O,OH)₄·5H₂O
Mohs hardness: 5
Density: 2.83 g/cm³
Colors: Pale yellowish pink
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Prismatic
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Pegmitite within nepheline syenite. (labuntosovite group; structure)

Where rockhounds find gutkovaite-mn

Classic worldwide localities

Mooount Maly Mannepakhk, Khibiny alkaline massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Pegmitite within nepheline syenite. (labuntosovite group; structure). If you start seeing aegirine, microcline, nepheline in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify gutkovaite-mn?+

Mohs hardness is 5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include pale yellowish pink.

Where is gutkovaite-mn found?+

Notable localities include Mooount Maly Mannepakhk, Khibiny alkaline massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia (type locality).

What rocks look like gutkovaite-mn?+

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

What minerals are found with gutkovaite-mn?+

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

What kind of rock does gutkovaite-mn form in?+

Where it forms: Pegmitite within nepheline syenite. (labuntosovite group; structure). Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is gutkovaite-mn used for?+

Gutkovaite-Mn is used in collector.

Find gutkovaite-mn on the map

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