Novgorodovaite is a very rare calcium oxalate chloride hydrate mineral. It was first identified in the Chegem caldera and is typically found as small, fragile platy crystals associated with high-temperature contact-metamorphosed carbonates.
Is this novgorodovaite?
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 novgorodovaite with a known reference. Novgorodovaite sits at Mohs 2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: aggregates.
Often confused with
Novgorodovaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside novgorodovaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with novgorodovaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂(C₂O₄)Cl₂·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 2.38 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Good on {110} and {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a drill-core from evaporite rocks
Where rockhounds find novgorodovaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Chelkar salt dome, western Kazakhstan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a drill-core from evaporite rocks. If you start seeing anhydrite, gypsum, halite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify novgorodovaite?+
Where is novgorodovaite found?+
What rocks look like novgorodovaite?+
What minerals are found with novgorodovaite?+
What kind of rock does novgorodovaite form in?+
What is novgorodovaite used for?+
Find novgorodovaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
