Loparite is a rare titanium-niobium oxide typically found as dark, pseudo-cubic crystals within alkaline pegmatites. It is highly valued by collectors for its distinctive twinning and complex chemical composition, which often includes significant rare earth elements.
Is this loparite?
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 loparite with a known reference. Loparite sits at Mohs 5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Loparite leaves a brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Loparite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brownish-black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: pseudo-cubic crystals, penetration twins.
Often confused with
Loparite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Loparite leaves brown, Perovskite leaves white; luster reads metallic on Loparite and adamantine on Perovskite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Loparite leaves brown, Magnetite leaves black.
Often found alongside loparite
Minerals reported to co-occur with loparite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Na,Ce,Ca,Sr)(Ti,Nb)O₃
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 4.7-4.9 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brown
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Pseudo-cubic Crystals, Penetration Twins
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Source of Rare Earth Elements
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks
- Typical price
- $20-150 per specimen depending on crystal size and quality
Where rockhounds find loparite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Khibiny Massif, Russia
- Lovozero Massif, Russia
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks country — that is the host setting where loparite typically forms. If you start seeing nepheline, aegirine, eudialyte in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a pseudo-cubic crystals, penetration twins habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify loparite?+
Where is loparite found?+
How much is loparite worth?+
Is loparite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like loparite?+
What minerals are found with loparite?+
What kind of rock does loparite form in?+
What is loparite used for?+
Find loparite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
