Punkaruaivite is a rare member of the labuntsovite group found primarily in the agpaitic rocks of the Lovozero Massif. It typically occurs as small, pale yellow prismatic crystals or radial sprays within alkaline pegmatite cavities. Because it is highly localized, collectors prize it as a rare species within the broader labuntsovite mineral series.
Is this punkaruaivite?
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 punkaruaivite with a known reference. Punkaruaivite sits at Mohs 4.5, 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.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellowish brown, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic to acicular crystals often in radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Punkaruaivite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside punkaruaivite
Minerals reported to co-occur with punkaruaivite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- LiTi₂[Si₄O₁₁(OH)](OH)₂·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 2.60 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic to acicular crystals often in radial aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A hydrothermal vein mineral in a ussingite-aegirine-microcline bearing pegmatite in nepheline syenite (Mt. Punkaruaiv); in natrolite-microcline foyalite (Mt. Eveslogschorr)
Where rockhounds find punkaruaivite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mt. Punkaruaiv, Lovozero massif and Mt. Eveslogschorr, Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A hydrothermal vein mineral in a ussingite-aegirine-microcline bearing pegmatite in nepheline syenite (Mt. Punkaruaiv); in natrolite-microcline foyalite (Mt. Eveslogschorr). If you start seeing belovite-, chlakovite, ferronordite- in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic to acicular crystals often in radial aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify punkaruaivite?+
Where is punkaruaivite found?+
What rocks look like punkaruaivite?+
What minerals are found with punkaruaivite?+
What kind of rock does punkaruaivite form in?+
What is punkaruaivite used for?+
Find punkaruaivite on the map
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