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, 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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