Odintsovite is a very rare silicate mineral found in alkaline pegmatites. It typically occurs as small prismatic to acicular crystals, often forming attractive radial sprays or white to colorless aggregates.

Hardness

5-5.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Odintsovite

Hardness: 5-5.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this odintsovite?

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 odintsovite with a known reference. Odintsovite sits at Mohs 5-5.5, 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: colorless, light pink, slightly brownish pink.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: granular.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Beryllite

Mohs 1

How to tell apart: Odintsovite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5-5.5 vs. 1); luster reads vitreous on Odintsovite and silky on Beryllite.

Often found alongside odintsovite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: K₂Na₄Ca₃Ti₂Be₄Si₁₂O₃₈
Mohs hardness: 5-5.5
Density: 2.94-2.98 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless Light pinkSlightly brownish pink
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Granular
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In a vein in alkaline syenite pegmatite and in kalsilite syenite

Where rockhounds find odintsovite

Classic worldwide localities

Murunsky alkaline massif, Aldan shield, Russia (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In a vein in alkaline syenite pegmatite and in kalsilite syenite. If you start seeing quartz, microcline, aegirine in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify odintsovite?+

Mohs hardness is 5-5.5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, light pink, slightly brownish pink.

Where is odintsovite found?+

Notable localities include Murunsky alkaline massif, Aldan shield, Russia (type locality).

Is odintsovite safe to handle?+

Odintsovite contains beryllium. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.

What rocks look like odintsovite?+

Odintsovite is most often confused with Beryllite, Leucosphenite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with odintsovite?+

Odintsovite commonly co-occurs with Quartz, Microcline, Aegirine, Beryllite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does odintsovite form in?+

Where it forms: In a vein in alkaline syenite pegmatite and in kalsilite syenite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is odintsovite used for?+

Odintsovite is used in collector.

Find odintsovite on the map

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