Paravinogradovite is a rare mineral found within the unique alkaline pegmatite environments of the Kola Peninsula. It typically forms as small, elongated prismatic crystals that are colorless to white and is primarily sought after by advanced systematic mineral collectors.
Is this paravinogradovite?
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 paravinogradovite with a known reference. Paravinogradovite 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 to pearly.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: prismatic.
Often confused with
Paravinogradovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside paravinogradovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with paravinogradovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Na,☐)₂(Ti⁴⁺,Fe³⁺)₄(Si₂O₆)₂(Si₃AlO₁₀)(OH)₄·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 2.77 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic
- Cleavage
- Perfect {001}; indistinct {010}
- Fluorescence
- Week yellow green under SW and LW UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- On albite in miarolitic cavities within a pegmatite at the contact between a xenolith of corundum-bearing hornfels and enclosing foyaite in an alkaline massif
Where rockhounds find paravinogradovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mount Kukisvumchorr, Khibina alkaline massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: On albite in miarolitic cavities within a pegmatite at the contact between a xenolith of corundum-bearing hornfels and enclosing foyaite in an alkaline massif. If you start seeing nepheline, k-feldspar, albite 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 paravinogradovite?+
Where is paravinogradovite found?+
What rocks look like paravinogradovite?+
What minerals are found with paravinogradovite?+
What kind of rock does paravinogradovite form in?+
What is paravinogradovite used for?+
Find paravinogradovite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
