Lovozerite is a rare zirconium-titanium silicate that typically occurs as an alteration product of eudialyte in alkaline igneous complexes. It is usually found as brown to pinkish-red equant grains or granular aggregates embedded within nepheline syenite rocks.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous, resinous to dull

Streak

Brown

Transparency

Transparent to opaque

mineralrareLovozerite Group family

Lovozerite

Hardness: 5
Luster: Vitreous, resinous to dull
Streak: Brown
Transparency: Transparent to opaque

Is this lovozerite?

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 lovozerite with a known reference. Lovozerite sits at Mohs 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: brown.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous, resinous to dull.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: dark brown, reddish brown, black.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: massive, microscopic crystals, pseudo cubic.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Eudialyte

Mohs 5-6

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Lovozerite leaves brown, Eudialyte leaves white.

How to tell apart: Lovozerite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5 vs. 4); streak differs, so Lovozerite leaves brown, Kazakovite leaves white.

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Often found alongside lovozerite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₃CaZrSi₆O₁₅(OH)₃
Mohs hardness: 5
Density: 2.38-2.71 g/cm³
Colors: Dark brown Reddish brown Black
Streak: Brown
Luster: Vitreous, resinous to dull
Transparency: Transparent to opaque
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Massive, microscopic crystals, pseudo cubic
Cleavage: Two directions, imperfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In nepheline syenites and associated pegmatites

Where rockhounds find lovozerite

Classic worldwide localities

Lovozero and Khibiny massifs, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Ilímaussaq southern intrusion, Greenland
Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In nepheline syenites and associated pegmatites. If you start seeing potassic feldspar, nepheline, aegirine in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: massive, microscopic crystals, pseudo cubic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify lovozerite?+

Mohs hardness is 5. Luster: vitreous, resinous to dull. The streak is brown. Common colors include dark brown, reddish brown, black.

Where is lovozerite found?+

Notable localities include Lovozero and Khibiny massifs, Kola Peninsula, Russia; Ilímaussaq southern intrusion, Greenland; Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada.

What rocks look like lovozerite?+

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

What minerals are found with lovozerite?+

Lovozerite commonly co-occurs with Potassic feldspar, Nepheline, Aegirine, Lamprophyllite, Eudialyte, Murmanite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does lovozerite form in?+

Where it forms: In nepheline syenites and associated pegmatites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is lovozerite used for?+

Lovozerite is used in collector.

Find lovozerite on the map

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