Lobanovite is a rare member of the bafertisite group typically found as straw-yellow to orange, micaceous, platy crystals. It is most commonly associated with alkaline pegmatites in the Kola Peninsula of Russia. Collectors prize it for its unique chemical composition and aesthetic, often bladed, crystal habit.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White to yellowish white

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareBafertisite Group family

Lobanovite

Hardness: 3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White to yellowish white
Transparency: Translucent

Is this lobanovite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch lobanovite with a known reference. Lobanovite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white to yellowish white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: straw-yellow, orange.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, micaceous aggregates.

Often confused with

Lobanovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Bafertisite

Mohs ~5

How to tell apart: Bafertisite is the harder of the two (Mohs ~5 vs. 3).

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Lobanovite leaves white to yellowish white, Astrophyllite leaves golden; luster reads vitreous on Lobanovite and submetallic, pearly, greasy on Astrophyllite.

Compare →

Often found alongside lobanovite

Minerals reported to co-occur with lobanovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: K₂Na(Fe₄Mg₂Na)Ti₂(Si₄O₁₂)₂O₂(OH)₄
Mohs hardness: 3
Density: 3.161 g/cm³
Colors: Straw-yellow Orange
Streak: White to yellowish white
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Platy crystals, micaceous aggregates
Cleavage: Perfect on {001}, moderate on {010}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In pegmatitic cavities in a differentiated alkaline igneous massif

Where rockhounds find lobanovite

Classic worldwide localities

Mt. Yukspor, Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In pegmatitic cavities in a differentiated alkaline igneous massif. If you start seeing shcherbakovite, lamprophyllite, delindeite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, micaceous aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify lobanovite?+

Mohs hardness is 3. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white to yellowish white. Common colors include straw-yellow, orange.

Where is lobanovite found?+

Notable localities include Mt. Yukspor, Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia.

What rocks look like lobanovite?+

Lobanovite is most often confused with Bafertisite, Astrophyllite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with lobanovite?+

Lobanovite commonly co-occurs with Shcherbakovite, Lamprophyllite, Delindeite, Wadeite, Umbite, Kostylevite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does lobanovite form in?+

Where it forms: In pegmatitic cavities in a differentiated alkaline igneous massif. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is lobanovite used for?+

Lobanovite is used in collector.

Find lobanovite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.