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.
Is this lovozerite?
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 lovozerite with a known reference. Lovozerite 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. Lovozerite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Lovozerite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pink, brown, black, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: equant grains, pseudo-cubic crystals, massive.
Often confused with
Lovozerite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
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
- Na₂Ca(Zr,Ti)Si₆(O,OH)₁₈
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 2.38-2.60 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Equant Grains, Pseudo-cubic Crystals, Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Nepheline Syenite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $20-150 per specimen
Where rockhounds find lovozerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Lovozero Massif, Russia
- Khibiny Massif, Russia
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada
- Aris Quarries, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Look in nepheline syenite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where lovozerite typically forms. If you start seeing microcline, nepheline, aegirine in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a equant grains, pseudo-cubic crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find lovozerite on the map
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