Malinkoite is a rare sodium borosilicate mineral typically found as small, white to pale rose 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 7, 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: white, pale rose, greenish blue.
- 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.
How to tell apart: Malinkoite is noticeably harder (Mohs 7 vs. 5.5-6).
How to tell apart: Malinkoite is noticeably harder (Mohs 7 vs. 5.5-6); luster reads vitreous on Malinkoite and vitreous to greasy on Nepheline.
How to tell apart: Malinkoite is noticeably harder (Mohs 7 vs. 5.5-6).
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
- 7
- Density
- 2.85 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
Where rockhounds find malinkoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Poudrette quarry (Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada)
Field-hunting tip
Look in syenite pegmatite country, 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?+
Where is malinkoite found?+
What rocks look like malinkoite?+
What minerals are found with malinkoite?+
What kind of rock does malinkoite form in?+
What is malinkoite used for?+
Find malinkoite on the map
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