Komkovite is a rare barium zirconium silicate mineral typically found in hyper-agpaitic pegmatites. It usually occurs as small, glassy, tabular crystals and is primarily sought after by advanced systematic mineral collectors.
Is this komkovite?
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 komkovite with a known reference. Komkovite sits at Mohs 4-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Komkovite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Komkovite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, yellow, brownish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Komkovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Wadeite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6 vs. 4-5).
How to tell apart: Komkovite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4-5 vs. 3); streak differs, so Komkovite leaves white, Bafertisite leaves yellowish; luster reads vitreous on Komkovite and pearly on Bafertisite.
Often found alongside komkovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with komkovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BaZrSi₃O₉·nH₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 3.38 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $100-500 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find komkovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline pegmatites country, the host setting where komkovite typically forms. If you start seeing tundrite, aegirine, nepheline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify komkovite?+
Where is komkovite found?+
How much is komkovite worth?+
What rocks look like komkovite?+
What minerals are found with komkovite?+
What kind of rock does komkovite form in?+
What is komkovite used for?+
Find komkovite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
