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 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Lovdarite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Lovdarite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, yellowish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, radiating aggregates, prismatic.
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
- Density
- 2.35 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Radiating Aggregates, Prismatic
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {100}
- Fluorescence
- Bright White/pale Blue Under SW UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen size and clarity
Where rockhounds find lovdarite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks country — that is the host setting where lovdarite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, microcline, sodalite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, radiating aggregates, prismatic habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find lovdarite on the map
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