Neskevaaraite-Fe is a very rare member of the labuntsovite group typically found in alkaline pegmatites on the Kola Peninsula. It occurs as small, yellow to brown prismatic crystals and is primarily sought after by advanced systematic mineral collectors.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent, almost opaque

mineralrareLabuntsovite Group family

Neskevaaraite-Fe

Hardness: 5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent, almost opaque

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Is this neskevaaraite-fe?

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 neskevaaraite-fe with a known reference. Neskevaaraite-Fe sits at Mohs 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: pale brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Labuntsovite

Mohs 6

How to tell apart: Labuntsovite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6 vs. 5); luster reads vitreous on Neskevaaraite-Fe and greasy on Labuntsovite.

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Often found alongside neskevaaraite-fe

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

All properties

Chemical formula: NaK₃Fe(Ti,Nb)₄(Si₄O₁₂)₂(O,OH)₄·6H₂O
Mohs hardness: 5
Density: 2.88 g/cm³
Colors: Pale brown
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent, almost opaque
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Prismatic
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In alkaline igneous rocks sometimes intergrown with labuntsovite-Fe or in hydrothermally altered carbonatite veins

Where rockhounds find neskevaaraite-fe

Classic worldwide localities

Neskevaara Hill, central part of the Vuoriyarvi alkaline complex, Northern Karelia, and the Kirovskii apatite mine, Mount Kukisvumchorr, Khibiny alkaline massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In alkaline igneous rocks sometimes intergrown with labuntsovite-Fe or in hydrothermally altered carbonatite veins. If you start seeing dolomite, calcite, phlogopite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify neskevaaraite-fe?+

Mohs hardness is 5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include pale brown.

Where is neskevaaraite-fe found?+

Notable localities include Neskevaara Hill, central part of the Vuoriyarvi alkaline complex, Northern Karelia, and the Kirovskii apatite mine, Mount Kukisvumchorr, Khibiny alkaline massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia.

What rocks look like neskevaaraite-fe?+

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

What minerals are found with neskevaaraite-fe?+

Neskevaaraite-Fe commonly co-occurs with Dolomite, Calcite, Phlogopite, Fluorapatite, Pyrite, Pyrrhotite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does neskevaaraite-fe form in?+

Where it forms: In alkaline igneous rocks sometimes intergrown with labuntsovite-Fe or in hydrothermally altered carbonatite veins. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is neskevaaraite-fe used for?+

Neskevaaraite-Fe is used in collector.

Find neskevaaraite-fe on the map

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