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 — that is 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?+
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Find nenadkevichite on the map
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