Pavlovskyite is a rare calcium silicate fluoride mineral discovered in the contact-metamorphic rocks of the Sakha Republic in Russia. It typically occurs as small, colorless to pale yellow tabular crystals within skarn environments, often associated with other calcium-rich silicates.
Is this pavlovskyite?
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 pavlovskyite with a known reference. Pavlovskyite sits at Mohs 6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Pavlovskyite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Pavlovskyite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Pavlovskyite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside pavlovskyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with pavlovskyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₈(Si₂O₇)₂F₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 2.83 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Skarn
- Typical price
- expensive
Where rockhounds find pavlovskyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Sakha Republic, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in skarn country, the host setting where pavlovskyite typically forms. If you start seeing wollastonite, gehlenite, fluorapatite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find pavlovskyite on the map
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