Malinkoite is a rare sodium borosilicate mineral typically found as small, colorless hexagonal prisms or grains within alkaline intrusive complexes. It is almost exclusively associated with the famous Mont Saint-Hilaire locality in Quebec, where it occurs in pegmatite pockets.
Is this malinkoite?
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 malinkoite with a known reference. Malinkoite 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. Malinkoite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Malinkoite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Malinkoite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside malinkoite
Minerals reported to co-occur with malinkoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaBSiO₄
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 2.44 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Anhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {10-10}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Syenite Pegmatite
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find malinkoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Poudrette quarry (Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada)
Field-hunting tip
Look in syenite pegmatite country — that is the host setting where malinkoite typically forms. If you start seeing microcline, aegirine, arfvedsonite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify malinkoite?+
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How much is malinkoite worth?+
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Find malinkoite on the map
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