Raite is a rare mineral typically found as fibrous, yellow-to-brown acicular needles or radiating aggregates. It is almost exclusively found in the complex alkaline pegmatites of the Kola Peninsula in Russia, often associated with other exotic titanium-bearing silicates.
Is this raite?
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 raite with a known reference. Raite sits at Mohs 2-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Raite leaves a yellowish-white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Raite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, orange-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular crystals, fibrous aggregates.
Often confused with
Raite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Apatite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 2-3); streak differs — Raite leaves yellowish-white, Apatite leaves white; luster reads pearly on Raite and vitreous on Apatite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Raite leaves yellowish-white, Astrophyllite leaves golden-brown; luster reads pearly on Raite and submetallic on Astrophyllite.
Often found alongside raite
Minerals reported to co-occur with raite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Na,Mn,Ca)₃TiSi₄O₁₂(OH,O)₂·10H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 2.3-2.4 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish-white
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Crystals, Fibrous Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect in One Direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks, Specifically Pegmatites in Nepheline Syenites
- Typical price
- $50-250 per specimen depending on crystal size and matrix quality
Where rockhounds find raite
Classic worldwide localities
- Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Lovozero Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks, specifically pegmatites in nepheline syenites country — that is the host setting where raite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, nepheline, eudialyte in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular crystals, fibrous aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find raite on the map
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