Isolueshite is a rare member of the perovskite group, typically found in alkaline igneous complexes like the Khibiny Massif in Russia. It presents as small, dark cubic crystals and is primarily sought after by advanced mineral collectors specializing in rare earth or niobium-bearing species.
Is this isolueshite?
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 isolueshite with a known reference. Isolueshite 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. Streak: pale yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brownish black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: euhedral crystals.
Often confused with
Isolueshite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Isolueshite leaves pale yellow, Perovskite leaves white to grayish white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Isolueshite leaves pale yellow, Lueshite leaves gray; luster reads adamantine on Isolueshite and submetallic on Lueshite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Isolueshite leaves pale yellow, Pyrochlore leaves brown; luster reads adamantine on Isolueshite and vitreous to resinous on Pyrochlore.
Often found alongside isolueshite
Minerals reported to co-occur with isolueshite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaNbO₃
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 4.72 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale yellow
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Euhedral crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a hydrothermally altered pegmatite vein in ijolite-urtite
Where rockhounds find isolueshite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kukisvumchorr apatite deposit, Khibina alkaline complex, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a hydrothermally altered pegmatite vein in ijolite-urtite. If you start seeing microcline, sodalite, aegirine in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: euhedral crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify isolueshite?+
Where is isolueshite found?+
What rocks look like isolueshite?+
What minerals are found with isolueshite?+
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Find isolueshite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
