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.
Is this raslakite?
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 raslakite with a known reference. Raslakite sits at Mohs 5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Raslakite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Raslakite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, pink, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: equant to tabular crystals.
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,Fe)₃(Zr₃Si₂₄O₇₂)(OH,Cl)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 2.95-3.05 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Equant to Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Agpaitic Pegmatites and Alkaline Igneous Complexes
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find raslakite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in agpaitic pegmatites and alkaline igneous complexes country — that is the host setting where raslakite typically forms. If you start seeing nepheline, aegirine, microcline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a equant to tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.






