Pertsevite-(F) is a very rare magnesium borate mineral primarily found in high-temperature magnesium-rich skarn environments. It typically occurs as small prismatic crystals or irregular grains, often embedded within carbonate or silicate matrices. Collectors generally only encounter this mineral in specialized mineralogical collections due to its limited type locality in Russia.
Is this pertsevite-(f)?
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 pertsevite-(f) with a known reference. Pertsevite-(F) sits at Mohs 5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: uneven.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, colorless, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, grains.
Often found alongside pertsevite-(f)
Minerals reported to co-occur with pertsevite-(f). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mg₂BO₃F
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 3.12 g/cm³
- Streak
- Uneven
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic crystals, grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- In kotoite-marble skarn
Where rockhounds find pertsevite-(f)
Classic worldwide localities
- Tas-Khayakhtakh ridge, Chersky Mountain System, near the mouth of Kebirin’ya Creek, a northern tributary of the Dogdo River, ~250 km east of Verkhoyansk, Republic of Sakha-Yakutia, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In kotoite-marble skarn. If you start seeing calcite, spinel, löllingite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify pertsevite-(f)?+
Where is pertsevite-(f) found?+
What minerals are found with pertsevite-(f)?+
What kind of rock does pertsevite-(f) form in?+
What is pertsevite-(f) used for?+
Find pertsevite-(f) on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
