Nabaphite is an extremely rare phosphate mineral typically found as small, cubic crystals in alkaline igneous environments. It is primarily known from the Kola Peninsula in Russia, where it occurs within hyperagpaitic pegmatites associated with other sodium-rich minerals.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Dull vitreous [sic]

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent, turbid with alteration

mineralrare

Nabaphite

Hardness: ~2
Luster: Dull vitreous [sic]
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent, turbid with alteration

Is this nabaphite?

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 nabaphite with a known reference. Nabaphite sits at Mohs ~2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: dull vitreous [sic].
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: equant crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Villiaumite

Mohs 2-2.5

How to tell apart: Luster reads dull vitreous [sic] on Nabaphite and vitreous on Villiaumite.

Compare →

Often found alongside nabaphite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: NaBaPO₄(H₂O)₉
Mohs hardness: ~2
Density: 2.3 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Dull vitreous [sic]
Transparency: Transparent, turbid with alteration
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Equant crystals
Cleavage: On {100}, distinct
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: A rare late-stage hydrothermal mineral in cavities in ijolite-urtite pegmatite in a differentiated alkalic massif

Where rockhounds find nabaphite

Classic worldwide localities

Mt. Yukspor, Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: A rare late-stage hydrothermal mineral in cavities in ijolite-urtite pegmatite in a differentiated alkalic massif. If you start seeing natrolite, pectolite, shcherbakovite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: equant crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify nabaphite?+

Mohs hardness is ~2. Luster: dull vitreous [sic]. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless.

Where is nabaphite found?+

Notable localities include Mt. Yukspor, Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia.

What rocks look like nabaphite?+

Nabaphite is most often confused with Villiaumite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with nabaphite?+

Nabaphite commonly co-occurs with Natrolite, Pectolite, Shcherbakovite, Wadeite, Eudialyte, Lamprophyllite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does nabaphite form in?+

Where it forms: A rare late-stage hydrothermal mineral in cavities in ijolite-urtite pegmatite in a differentiated alkalic massif. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is nabaphite used for?+

Nabaphite is used in collector.

Find nabaphite on the map

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