Pokrovskite is a rare magnesium carbonate mineral that typically forms as delicate, pearly platy crystals or crusts within serpentinite deposits. Collectors often find it associated with other magnesium carbonates, requiring micro-analysis for definitive identification due to its similarity to hydromagnesite and dypingite.
Is this pokrovskite?
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 pokrovskite with a known reference. Pokrovskite sits at Mohs ~3, 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: dull.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, beige yellow, pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, radial aggregates, crusts.
Often confused with
Pokrovskite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads dull on Pokrovskite and vitreous; silky to pearly to dull in aggregates on Hydromagnesite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads dull on Pokrovskite and pearly on Dypingite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads dull on Pokrovskite and vitreous, silky to satiny in aggregates on Artinite.
Often found alongside pokrovskite
Minerals reported to co-occur with pokrovskite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mg₂CO₃(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- ~3
- Density
- 2.51-2.52 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Semitransparent, may be opaque due to inclusions
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals, radial aggregates, crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- An uncommon species in ultramafic bodies of dunite or serpentinite
Where rockhounds find pokrovskite
Classic worldwide localities
- Drillhole in the Zlatogorsk massif, 90 km west-southwest of Kokchetav, Kazakhstan (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: An uncommon species in ultramafic bodies of dunite or serpentinite. If you start seeing dolomite, magnesite, sjögrenite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, radial aggregates, crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify pokrovskite?+
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What rocks look like pokrovskite?+
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Find pokrovskite on the map
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