Karchevskyite is a rare layered double hydroxide mineral typically found in the hydrothermal cavities of alkaline rocks. It forms delicate, thin, platy crystals that resemble other hydrotalcite-group members, often appearing in white to colorless aggregates.
Is this karchevskyite?
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 karchevskyite with a known reference. Karchevskyite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Karchevskyite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Karchevskyite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, pseudohexagonal, aggregates.
Often confused with
Karchevskyite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside karchevskyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with karchevskyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mg₁₈Al₂Li₃(OH)₄₈(CO₃)₃·9H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.16 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Pseudohexagonal, Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Massifs
- Typical price
- expensive due to rarity
Where rockhounds find karchevskyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kovdor Massif (Kola Peninsula, Russia)
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous massifs country — that is the host setting where karchevskyite typically forms. If you start seeing magnetite, forsterite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, pseudohexagonal, aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify karchevskyite?+
Where is karchevskyite found?+
How much is karchevskyite worth?+
What rocks look like karchevskyite?+
What minerals are found with karchevskyite?+
What kind of rock does karchevskyite form in?+
What is karchevskyite used for?+
Find karchevskyite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
