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 2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Pokrovskite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Pokrovskite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, pale green.
- 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.
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
- Mg₂(CO₃)(OH)₂·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 2.44 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Radial Aggregates, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Serpentinite
- Typical price
- $20-150 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find pokrovskite
Classic worldwide localities
- Pokrovskii Mine, Russia
- Cedars, California, USA
- Aktyubinsk, Kazakhstan
Field-hunting tip
Look in serpentinite country, the host setting where pokrovskite typically forms. If you start seeing magnesite, serpentine, dolomite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, radial aggregates, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find pokrovskite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
