Nefedovite is a rare phosphate mineral found primarily in the hyperalkaline pegmatites of the Kola Peninsula. It typically occurs as small, colorless to pale yellow tabular crystals associated with other rare alkaline minerals like eudialyte and aegirine.

Hardness

~4.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Nefedovite

Hardness: ~4.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this nefedovite?

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 nefedovite with a known reference. Nefedovite sits at Mohs ~4.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside nefedovite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₅Ca₄(PO₄)₄F
Mohs hardness: ~4.5
Density: 3.01 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals, massive
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In pegmatitic segregations in nepheline syenite in a differentiated alkalic massif

Where rockhounds find nefedovite

Classic worldwide localities

Mt. Yukspor and from a drillcore in the Kuniok River valley, Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In pegmatitic segregations in nepheline syenite in a differentiated alkalic massif. If you start seeing apatite, nacaphite, eudialyte in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify nefedovite?+

Mohs hardness is ~4.5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white.

Where is nefedovite found?+

Notable localities include Mt. Yukspor and from a drillcore in the Kuniok River valley, Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia.

What rocks look like nefedovite?+

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

What minerals are found with nefedovite?+

Nefedovite commonly co-occurs with Apatite, Nacaphite, Eudialyte, Delhayelite, Canasite, Djerfisherite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does nefedovite form in?+

Where it forms: In pegmatitic segregations in nepheline syenite in a differentiated alkalic massif. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is nefedovite used for?+

Nefedovite is used in collector.

Find nefedovite on the map

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