Kazanskyite is a rare titanium-niobium silicate mineral belonging to the lamprophyllite group, typically found in alkaline igneous complexes. Collectors identify it by its characteristic yellowish-brown platy habit and strong association with nepheline syenite environments. It was first described from the Khibiny massif and remains a highly sought-after specimen for systematic mineral collectors.
Is this kazanskyite?
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 kazanskyite with a known reference. Kazanskyite sits at Mohs 3, 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: colorless, pale tan.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals.
Often confused with
Kazanskyite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Kazanskyite leaves white, Lamprophyllite leaves pale yellow, may have an orange tint; luster reads vitreous on Kazanskyite and submetallic on cleavages on Lamprophyllite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Kazanskyite leaves white, Barytolamprophyllite leaves light brown.
Often found alongside kazanskyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kazanskyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ba□TiNbNa₃Ti(Si₂O₇)₂O₂(OH)₂(H₂O)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.930 g/cm³
- Colors
- ColorlessPale tan
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In the natrolite zone of a hydrothermally-altered, pegmatite vein cutting nepheline syenite near the contact with ijolite-urtites
Where rockhounds find kazanskyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Lovozero Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In the natrolite zone of a hydrothermally-altered, pegmatite vein cutting nepheline syenite near the contact with ijolite-urtites. If you start seeing natrolite, barytolamprophyllite, nechelyustovite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify kazanskyite?+
Where is kazanskyite found?+
What rocks look like kazanskyite?+
What minerals are found with kazanskyite?+
What kind of rock does kazanskyite form in?+
What is kazanskyite used for?+
Find kazanskyite on the map
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