Raslakite is a rare mineral belonging to the eudialyte group, primarily identified in alkaline rocks of the Kola Peninsula. It typically occurs as small, equant crystals and is most easily distinguished from similar eudialyte-group minerals through precise chemical or X-ray diffraction analysis.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareEudialyte Group family

Raslakite

Hardness: 5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this raslakite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch raslakite with a known reference. Raslakite sits at Mohs 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: brownish red.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: granular.

Often confused with

Raslakite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside raslakite

Minerals reported to co-occur with raslakite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₁₅Ca₃Fe₃(Na,Zr)₃Zr₃(Si,Nb)Si₂₅O₇₃(OH,H₂O)₃(Cl,OH)
Mohs hardness: 5
Density: 2.95 g/cm³
Colors: Brownish red
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Granular
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In an agpaitic pegmatite in an alkaline igneous complex

Where rockhounds find raslakite

Classic worldwide localities

Mt. Kedykverpakhk, Lovozero alkaline massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In an agpaitic pegmatite in an alkaline igneous complex. If you start seeing microcline, aegirine, nepheline in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify raslakite?+

Mohs hardness is 5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include brownish red.

Where is raslakite found?+

Notable localities include Mt. Kedykverpakhk, Lovozero alkaline massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia.

What rocks look like raslakite?+

Raslakite is most often confused with Eudialyte, Kentbrooksite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with raslakite?+

Raslakite commonly co-occurs with Microcline, Aegirine, Nepheline, Lamprophyllite, Kazakovite, Terskite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does raslakite form in?+

Where it forms: In an agpaitic pegmatite in an alkaline igneous complex. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is raslakite used for?+

Raslakite is used in collector.

Find raslakite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.