Krasnovite is a rare barium aluminum phosphate mineral typically found as delicate, acicular needle-like crystals. Collectors usually find it occurring in small radiating sprays or tufts within hydrothermal veins, often associated with phosphate-rich pegmatite environments.
Is this krasnovite?
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 krasnovite with a known reference. Krasnovite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Krasnovite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Krasnovite typically shows a silky luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pale blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular crystals, radiating sprays.
Often confused with
Krasnovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Wavellite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2); luster reads silky on Krasnovite and vitreous on Wavellite.
How to tell apart: Vauxite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2); luster reads silky on Krasnovite and vitreous on Vauxite.
Often found alongside krasnovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with krasnovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BaAl₂(PO₄)(OH)₄F·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 3.7 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Silky
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Crystals, Radiating Sprays
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins in Pegmatites
Where rockhounds find krasnovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Krasnyi Chkoy, Russia
- Mount Malosa, Malawi
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins in pegmatites country, the host setting where krasnovite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, apatite, zircon in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular crystals, radiating sprays habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify krasnovite?+
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What rocks look like krasnovite?+
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Find krasnovite on the map
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