Lovdarite is a rare beryllium silicate mineral primarily known from highly alkaline pegmatites. It typically forms attractive, clear-to-white tabular crystals or radiating sprays that are highly prized by systematic mineral collectors.
Is this lovdarite?
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 lovdarite with a known reference. Lovdarite 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. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, yellow, yellowish white, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic, radial.
Often confused with
Lovdarite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside lovdarite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lovdarite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₁₂K₄Be₈Si₂₈O₇₂·18H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 2.33 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic, radial
- Cleavage
- Distinct on {100}, {010}, {001}; poor on {110}
- Fluorescence
- Bright green under SW UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A late hydrothermal mineral in alkalic pegmatites in a differentiated alkalic massif
Where rockhounds find lovdarite
Classic worldwide localities
- Jubilee pegmatite, Mt. Karnasurt, Lovozero massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A late hydrothermal mineral in alkalic pegmatites in a differentiated alkalic massif. If you start seeing chkalovite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic, radial. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify lovdarite?+
Where is lovdarite found?+
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What rocks look like lovdarite?+
What minerals are found with lovdarite?+
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Find lovdarite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
