Ilyukhinite is a rare member of the eudialyte group typically found in agpaitic alkaline igneous complexes. Collectors look for its characteristic pink to brownish rhombohedral crystals or massive granular masses often embedded in nepheline-rich syenites.
Is this ilyukhinite?
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 ilyukhinite with a known reference. Ilyukhinite sits at Mohs 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brownish orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: rhombohedral crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Ilyukhinite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside ilyukhinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with ilyukhinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (H₃O,Na)₁₄Ca₆Mn₂Zr₃Si₂₆O₇₂(OH)₂·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 2.67 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Rhombohedral crystals, massive, granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In hydrothermally-altered peralkaline pegmatite
Where rockhounds find ilyukhinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mount Kukisvumchorr, Khibiny alkaline massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In hydrothermally-altered peralkaline pegmatite. If you start seeing aegirine, murmanite, albite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: rhombohedral crystals, massive, granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify ilyukhinite?+
Where is ilyukhinite found?+
Is ilyukhinite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like ilyukhinite?+
What minerals are found with ilyukhinite?+
What kind of rock does ilyukhinite form in?+
What is ilyukhinite used for?+
Find ilyukhinite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
