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 — 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 — that is 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
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Find komkovite on the map
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