Laverovite is a rare member of the eudialyte group typically found in agpaitic alkaline igneous complexes. It is recognized by its tabular habit and distinctive yellowish-brown color, usually occurring in pegmatitic segregations alongside other rare zirconium minerals.
Is this laverovite?
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 laverovite with a known reference. Laverovite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: light brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pale brown, dark brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Laverovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Eudialyte is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-6 vs. 3); streak differs, so Laverovite leaves light brown, Eudialyte leaves white.
How to tell apart: Kentbrooksite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-6 vs. 3); streak differs, so Laverovite leaves light brown, Kentbrooksite leaves white.
Often found alongside laverovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with laverovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K₂NaMn₇Zr₂(Si₄O₁₂)₂O₂(OH)₄F
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 3.367 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light brown
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A late-stage hydrothermal mineral in a nepheline-syenite pegmatite
Where rockhounds find laverovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Desourdy quarry (which became part of the Demix and later the Poudrette quarry), Mont Saint-Hilaire, La Vallée-du-Richelieu RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A late-stage hydrothermal mineral in a nepheline-syenite pegmatite. If you start seeing zircophyllite, kupletskite, astrophyllite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify laverovite?+
Where is laverovite found?+
Is laverovite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like laverovite?+
What minerals are found with laverovite?+
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Find laverovite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
