Lakargiite is a rare zirconium-bearing mineral of the perovskite group, first discovered in the North Caucasus region of Russia. It typically occurs as minute, highly refractive grains within skarn-like xenoliths found in volcanic rocks. Collectors prize it for its unique composition and its association with other rare high-temperature minerals.
Is this lakargiite?
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 lakargiite with a known reference. Lakargiite sits at Mohs 5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Lakargiite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Lakargiite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: equant grains, rare crystals.
Often confused with
Lakargiite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside lakargiite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lakargiite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaZrO₃
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 4.67 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Equant Grains, Rare Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Xenoliths in Ignimbrite
- Typical price
- $100-500 per micro-specimen
Where rockhounds find lakargiite
Classic worldwide localities
- Lakargi Mountain, North Caucasus, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in xenoliths in ignimbrite country — that is the host setting where lakargiite typically forms. If you start seeing spurrite, larnite, rondorfite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a equant grains, rare crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find lakargiite on the map
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