Kovdorskite is an extremely rare phosphate mineral known almost exclusively from the Kovdor alkaline massif in Russia. It typically forms delicate, pale blue prismatic crystals or radial tufts found in cavities within carbonatite and phoscorite rocks.
Is this kovdorskite?
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 kovdorskite with a known reference. Kovdorskite 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.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, greenish blue, light pink, pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, radial aggregates, crusts.
Often confused with
Kovdorskite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside kovdorskite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kovdorskite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mg₂(PO₄)(OH)·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 2.28 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent to opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic crystals, radial aggregates, crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A very rare mineral in an explosive breccia pipe cutting an iron ore deposit in a carbonatized ultramafic-alkalic intrusive
Where rockhounds find kovdorskite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kovdor massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A very rare mineral in an explosive breccia pipe cutting an iron ore deposit in a carbonatized ultramafic-alkalic intrusive. If you start seeing collinsite, magnesite, dolomite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, radial aggregates, crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify kovdorskite?+
Where is kovdorskite found?+
What rocks look like kovdorskite?+
What minerals are found with kovdorskite?+
What kind of rock does kovdorskite form in?+
What is kovdorskite used for?+
Find kovdorskite on the map
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