Nenadkevichite is a rare niobate-silicate mineral typically found in highly evolved alkaline pegmatites. It forms distinct prismatic or tabular crystals, often exhibiting a honey-yellow or brownish hue, and is most prized by collectors specializing in rare earth and niobium minerals from sites like the Kola Peninsula.
Is this nenadkevichite?
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 nenadkevichite with a known reference. Nenadkevichite 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. Nenadkevichite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Nenadkevichite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, pink, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic to tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Nenadkevichite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside nenadkevichite
Minerals reported to co-occur with nenadkevichite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Na,K,□)₂(Nb,Ti)Si₄O₁₂·4H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 2.89 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic to Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Poor
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find nenadkevichite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada
- Narssârssuk, Greenland
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline pegmatites country, the host setting where nenadkevichite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, microcline, albite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic to tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify nenadkevichite?+
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What rocks look like nenadkevichite?+
What minerals are found with nenadkevichite?+
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Find nenadkevichite on the map
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