Kazakovite is a rare cyclosilicate mineral primarily known from the alkaline rocks of the Kola Peninsula. It typically forms pinkish to brownish pseudo-cubic crystals and is highly distinctive for its bright yellow fluorescence under shortwave ultraviolet light.
Is this kazakovite?
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 kazakovite with a known reference. Kazakovite sits at Mohs 4, 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 to greasy.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: light yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: granular.
Often confused with
Kazakovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside kazakovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kazakovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₆MnTiSi₆O₁₈
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 2.84 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Fluorescence
- Bright yellow under SW UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In sodalite-rich syenites in an alkalic massif (Lovozero massif, Russia)
Where rockhounds find kazakovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mts. Karnasurt and Alluaiv, Lovozero massif, and in the Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In sodalite-rich syenites in an alkalic massif (Lovozero massif, Russia). If you start seeing nordite, belovite, vuonnemite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify kazakovite?+
Where is kazakovite found?+
What rocks look like kazakovite?+
What minerals are found with kazakovite?+
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What is kazakovite used for?+
Find kazakovite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
