Novograblenovite is an extremely rare ammonium-bearing chloride mineral discovered in volcanic fumaroles. It typically occurs as small, colorless to white octahedral crystals and is primarily sought after by advanced mineral collectors and those specializing in volcanic exhalations.
Is this novograblenovite?
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 novograblenovite with a known reference. Novograblenovite sits at Mohs 1-2, 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, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic.
Often confused with
Novograblenovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Spinel is the harder of the two (Mohs 7.5-8 vs. 1-2).
How to tell apart: Magnetite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5-6.5 vs. 1-2); streak differs, so Novograblenovite leaves white, Magnetite leaves black; luster reads vitreous on Novograblenovite and metallic to submetallic, may be dull on Magnetite.
Often found alongside novograblenovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with novograblenovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (NH₄)MgCl₃(H₂O)₆
- Mohs hardness
- 1-2
- Density
- 1.504 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Formed on basaltic lava by exposure of the host rocks to eruptive gas exhalations enriched in HCl and NH3
Where rockhounds find novograblenovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Formed on basaltic lava by exposure of the host rocks to eruptive gas exhalations enriched in HCl and NH3. If you start seeing gypsum, halite in float, you are in the right ground.
Common questions
How do you identify novograblenovite?+
Where is novograblenovite found?+
What rocks look like novograblenovite?+
What minerals are found with novograblenovite?+
What kind of rock does novograblenovite form in?+
What is novograblenovite used for?+
Find novograblenovite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
