Odigitriaite is a rare cesium sodium calcium oxide that forms colorless irregular elongated grains. It occurs in glacial cobbles in moraine derived from an alkaline massif. It was first described from Darai-Pioz alkaline massif, Tajikistan.
Is this odigitriaite?
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 odigitriaite with a known reference. Odigitriaite 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. 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: irregular elongated grains.
Often confused with
Odigitriaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside odigitriaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with odigitriaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CsNa₅Ca₅[Si₁₄B₂O₃₈]F₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 2.80 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Irregular elongated grains
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In glacial cobbles in moraine derived from an alkaline massif
Where rockhounds find odigitriaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Darai-Pioz alkaline massif, Tajikistan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In glacial cobbles in moraine derived from an alkaline massif. If you start seeing sr-rich fluorite, pekovite, mendeleevite- in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: irregular elongated grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify odigitriaite?+
Where is odigitriaite found?+
What rocks look like odigitriaite?+
What minerals are found with odigitriaite?+
What kind of rock does odigitriaite form in?+
What is odigitriaite used for?+
Find odigitriaite on the map
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