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, 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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